Flavonoids: cellular and molecular mechanism of action in glucose homeostasis.
The purpose of this review is to discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of flavonoids focusing on carbohydrate metabolism. The beneficial effects of flavonoids have been studied in relation to diabetes mellitus, either through their capacity to avoid glucose absorption or to improve glucose tolerance. Furthermore, flavonoids stimulate glucose uptake in peripheral tissues, regulate the activity and/or expression of the rate-limiting enzymes in the carbohydrate metabolism pathway and act per se as insulin secretagogues or insulin mimetics, probably, by influencing the pleiotropic mechanisms of insulin signaling, to ameliorate the diabetes status.
Cazarolli
Luisa Helena
LH
Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Bairro Trindade, Cx, Postal 5069, CEP: 88040-970, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Zanatta
Leila
L
Alberton
Elga Heloisa
EH
Figueiredo
Maria Santos Reis Bonorino
MS
Folador
Poliane
P
Damazio
Rosangela Guollo
RG
Pizzolatti
Moacir Geraldo
MG
Silva
Fátima Regina Mena Barreto
FR
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005419:Flavonoids; D007328:Insulin