Abstract
PPARγ agonists are widely used medications in diabetes mellitus therapy. Their role in
improving adipose tissue function contributes to antidiabetic effects. The extracts
of Dodonaea viscosa have been reported to exert antidiabetic activity. However, the effective mediators
and the underlying mechanisms were largely unknown. In this study, we investigated
the action on PPARγ transactivation and adipocyte modulation of two typical flavonoid constituents from
D. viscosa, 5,4′-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone and aliarin. Our results showed that 5,4′-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone
and aliarin were potential partial PPARγ agonists. The compounds induced adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, with an upregulated
adiponectin mRNA level and enhanced insulin sensitivity. The favorable effects of
5,4′-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone, aliarin, and other flavonoid constituents on
adipocytes might contribute to the antidiabetic efficacy of D. viscosa.
Key words
Dodonaea viscosa
- Sapindaceae - 5,4′-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone - aliarin - diabetes mellitus
- adipogenesis - partial PPAR
γ agonists