The insulin sensitizing effect of homoisoflavone-enriched fraction in Liriope platyphylla Wang et Tang via PI3-kinase pathway

Abstract

In the present study, we screened candidates for enhancing insulin action, using glucose uptake as an indicator, from Liriope platyphylla Wang et Tang (LPWT) extract, Liliaceae, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The mechanism of insulin sensitizing action in the fractions was also investigated. LPWT extract with 70% MeOH was sequentially separated with Diaion HP-20 and silica gel column chromatography. The 9:1 fraction from silica gel column chromatography increased glucose uptake with 1 ng/mL up to glucose uptake with 50 ng/mL insulin. The 9:1 fraction, determined as homoisoflavone-enriched fraction, worked as an insulin sensitizer. It increased insulin stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin responsive cells, through increased glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) contents in the plasma membrane. GLUT4 translocation was increased through insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1)-PI3 kinase-Akt signaling mechanism. Thus, homoisoflavone-enriched fraction in LPWT extract played an important role as an insulin sensitizer in adipocytes.