title: Insulin-sensitizing activities of tanshinones, diterpene compounds of the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.
abstract: In this study, the effects of the extract and four tanshinone compounds from the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Labiatae) on the tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) beta-subunit and the downstream signaling were examined in Chinese-hamster ovary cells expressing human insulin receptors (CHO/IR cells) as well as in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition the translocation of the glucose transporter 4 was investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Total extract of Danshen (1-10 microg/ml) and the four tanshinones (10 microM) did not show any activity, but the total extract and the tanshinone I, IIA and 15, 16-dihydrotanshinone I except cryptotanshinone enhanced the activity of insulin (1 nM) on the tyrosine phosphorylation of the IR as well as the activation of the downstream kinases Akt, ERK1/2, and GSK3beta. In the adipocytes the same IR-downstream signaling and the translocation of glucose transporter 4 were demonstrated by the three tanshinones in the presence of insulin. These insulin-sensitizing activities of tanshinones may be useful for developing a new class of specific IR activators as anti-diabetic agents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Hee Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Seol
authors.forename: Su Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Kun Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Jong Ran
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D045784:Abietanes; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4 / Q000502:physiology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000819:agonists*; D051379:Mice; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010770:Phosphotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000819:agonists*; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D045784:Abietanes; D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D010936:Plant Extracts; C021751:tanshinone; D014443:Tyrosine; D010770:Phosphotransferases; D011972:Receptor, Insulin