Anti-diabetic effects of linarin from Chrysanthemi Indici Flos via AMPK activation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of linarin, a flavonoid extracted from Chrysanthemi Indici Flos (CIF), and its potential mechanisms. METHODS: The effects of linarin on cell viability and glucose consumption in HepG2 cells were measured. Meanwhile, monosodium glutamate (MSG) mouse model was constructed to monitor the changes of insulin tolerance, glucose tolerance, triglyceride and cholesterol. The protein expression levels of p-AMPK, p-ACC, PEPCK and p-GS were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Linarin could increase the relative glucose consumption of HepG2 cells, improve insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance, and decrease the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol of MSG mice. Simultaneously, the expression levels of p-AMPK and p-ACC in HepG2 cells and the liver tissue of MSG mice were increased, while the expression levels of PEPCK and p-GS were decreased after treatment with linarin. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance could be ameliorated by linarin in type 2 diabetes, and its mechanism may be related to AMPK signaling pathway.