Selected plant species from the Cree pharmacopoeia of northern Quebec possess anti-diabetic potential.
Type II diabetes is a major health problem worldwide. Some populations, such as aboriginal peoples, are particularly at risk for this disease. In the Cree Nation of Quebec, Canada, prevalence in adults is approaching 20%, and the consequences are compounded by low compliance with modern medicine. In 2003, we conducted an ethnobotanical study of Cree medicinal plants used for the treatment of symptoms of diabetes. This served as the basis for a project designed to identify efficacious complementary treatment options more readily accepted by this population. The present study assesses the in vitro anti-diabetic potential of extracts from the 8 most promising plants to emerge from the ethnobotanical study. Cell-based bioassays were employed to screen for (i) potentiation of glucose uptake by skeletal muscle cells (C2C12) and adipocytes (3T3-L1); (ii) potentiation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and insulin production by pancreatic beta cells (INS 832/13); (iii) potentiation of triglyceride accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells; (iv) protection against glucose toxicity and glucose deprivation in pre-sympathetic neurons (PC12-AC). Additionally, anti-oxidant activity was measured biochemically by the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reduction assay. All plant extracts potentiated basal or insulin-stimulated glucose uptake to some degree in muscle cells or adipocytes. Adipocyte differentiation was accelerated by 4 extracts. Five extracts conferred protection in PC12 cells. Three extracts displayed free radical scavenging activity similar to known anti-oxidants. None of the plant extracts enhanced GSIS or insulin content in INS 832/13 beta cells. It is concluded that the Cree pharmacopoeia contains several plants with significant anti-diabetic potential.
Spoor
Danielle C A
DC
Department of Pharmacology, Université de Montréal, P.O. Box 6128, Centre-ville Station, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
Martineau
Louis C
LC
Leduc
Charles
C
Benhaddou-Andaloussi
Ali
A
Meddah
Bouchra
B
Harris
Cory
C
Burt
Andrew
A
Fraser
Marie-Hélène
MH
Coonishish
Jason
J
Joly
Erik
E
Cuerrier
Alain
A
Bennett
Steffany A L
SA
Johns
Timothy
T
Prentki
Marc
M
Arnason
John T
JT
Haddad
Pierre S
PS
D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010602:Pharmacopoeias as Topic; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D028201:Pinaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D044382:Population Groups; D011792:Quebec; D051381:Rats; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D005947:Glucose