Planta Med 2017; 83(03/04): 203-209
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-110576
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Nandinine, a Derivative of Berberine, Inhibits Inflammation and Reduces Insulin Resistance in Adipocytes via Regulation of AMP-Kinase Activity

Wenwen Zhao
1   Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
2   State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, P. R. China
,
Haixia Ge
3   Department of Pharmacy, Huzhou University, Huzhou, P. R. China
,
Kang Liu
1   Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
,
Xiuping Chen
2   State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, P. R. China
,
Jian Zhang
4   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
,
Baolin Liu
1   Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 23 April 2016
revised 30 May 2016

accepted 11 June 2016

Publication Date:
27 July 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Nandinine is a derivative of berberine that has high efficacy for treating cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the effects of berberine and nandinine on the regulation of insulin sensitivity in adipocytes. Through treatment with macrophage-derived conditioned medium in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, dysregulation of adipokine production and activation of the IκB kinase β/nuclear factor-kappa B pathway was induced. However, these phenomena were effectively reversed by berberine, nandinine, and salicylate pretreatments. Furthermore, both berberine and nandinine inhibited serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 induced by IκB kinase β and increased tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 to activate the PI3K/Akt pathway, which finally led to insulin-mediated glucose uptake. In addition, berberine and nandinine significantly increased AMP-activated protein kinase activity, thereby contributing to their anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting IκB kinase β activation. Finally, in vivo studies demonstrated that both berberine (100 or 200 mg/kg) and nandinine (100 or 200 mg/kg) effectively ameliorated glucose intolerance and induced the insulin sensitivity index in mice. In conclusion, berberine and nandinine attenuated insulin resistance in adipocytes by inhibiting inflammation in an AMP-activated protein kinase-dependent manner. Berberine and nandinine may be used as dietary supplements and nandinine is a new candidate for obesity treatment.