Wedelolactone from Eclipta prostrata (L) L. suppresses inflammation and improves insulin resistance

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of wedelolactone, a major flavonoid from Vietnamese Eclipta prostrata (L) L., on inflammation and insulin resistance. Methods: Wedelolactone was extracted from the leaves of Vietnamese Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. with methanol by Soxhlet. The effects of wedelolactone on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activities in Raw 264.7 cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), specific immunofluorescent dyes and luminometric analysis, respectively. In addition, its effects on glucose uptake and the protein expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) were examined in 3T3-L1 cells by immunofluorescent dyes and Western blot. Results: Wedelolactone at 30 µg/mL significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 (P<0.01) with no noticeable effects on IL-10 level. It also reduced ROS generation and NADPH oxidase activities in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells (P<0.01). Furthermore, wedelolactone showed anti-insulin resistance activity, as evidenced by improved glucose uptake and the upregulated expression of IRS1 and GLUT4 in 3T3-L1 cells (P<0.01). Conclusions: Wedelolactone exhibits anti-inflammation and anti-insulin resistance effects, which may be used for the treatment of diabetes and inflammation-associated diseases.

Keywords

Wedelolactone / Eclipta prostrata / Inflammatory responses / Anti-insulin resistance / Diabetes / IRS1 / GLUT4

Acknowledgments

This study was accomplished with support from the Fund of The Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Protein Technology, VNU University of Science (KLEPT: 22.02).

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Funding

The authors received no extramural support for the study.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Authors’ contributions

TTC and DDT designed the study. HHY, DVK and TQN performed experimental studies. DDT and NAD performed the statistical analysis. TTC and DDT contributed to the final version of the manuscript. TTC supervised the project.

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