Planta Med 2002; 68(11): 999-1003
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35656
Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Stimulatory Effect of Puerarin on α1A-Adrenoceptor to Increase Glucose Uptake into Cultured C2C12 Cells of Mice

Hsi-Hsien Hsu1 , Cheng-Kuei Chang1 , Hui-Chen Su2 , I-Min Liu2 , 3 , Juei-Tang Cheng2
  • 1Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan, R.O.C.
  • 2Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan, R.O.C.
  • 3Department of Pharmacy, Tajen Institute of Technology, Yen-Pou, Ping Tung Shien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: March 12, 2002

Accepted: June 1, 2002

Publication Date:
26 November 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Effects of puerarin, an active principle contained in the roots of Pueraria lobata (Leguminosae), on the regulation of glucose metabolism in an insulin deficient state were investigated in cultured myoblast C2C12 cells using glucose uptake as indicator. Puerarin enhanced the uptake of radioactive glucose into C2C12 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was abolished by prazosin pretreatment. Activation of α1-adrenoceptors by puerarin was further indicated by the displacement of [3 H]prazosin binding in C2C12 cells. The stimulatory action of puerarin on glucose uptake was also reduced in C2C12 cells pre-incubated with the antagonists, both WB 4101 and RS 17 056, at concentrations sufficient to block α1A-adrenoceptor (α1A-AR). An activation of α1A-AR seems responsible for the action of puerarin in C2C12 cells. Pharmacological inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) by U73312 resulted a concentration-dependent decrease of puerarin-stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 cells. This inhibition of glucose uptake by U73122 was specific because the inactive congener, U73343, failed to block puerarin-stimulated glucose uptake. Moreover, both chelerythrine and GF 109203X diminished the action of puerarin at concentration sufficient to inhibit protein kinase C (PKC). The obtained data suggest that an activation of α1A-AR by puerarin in C2C12 cells may increase the glucose uptake via the PLC-PKC pathway.

References

Prof. Juei-Tang Cheng

Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine

National Cheng Kung University

Tainan City

Taiwan 70101

R.O.C.

Phone: +886-6-237-2706

Fax: +886-6-238-6548

Email: jtcheng@mail.ncku.edu.tw