title: Ursolic acid and luteolin-7-glucoside improve lipid profiles and increase liver glycogen content through glycogen synthase kinase-3.
abstract: In the present study, two phytochemicals - ursolic acid (UA) and luteolin-7-glucoside (L7G) - were assessed in vivo in healthy rats regarding effects on plasma glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL and LDL), as well as liver glycogen content, in view of their importance in the aetiology of diabetes and associated complications. Both UA and L7G significantly decreased plasma glucose concentration. UA also significantly increased liver glycogen levels accompanied by phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3). The increase in glycogen deposition induced by UA (mediated by GSK3) could have contributed to the lower plasma glucose levels observed. Both compounds significantly lowered total plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, and, in addition, UA increased plasma high-density lipoprotein levels. Our results show that UA particularly may be useful in preventable strategies for people at risk of developing diabetes and associated cardiovascular complications by improving plasma glucose levels and lipid profile, as well as by promoting liver glycogen deposition.
authors.affiliation: CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology/Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marisa F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Cagri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Camsari
authors.forename: Carla M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sá
authors.forename: Cristovao F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernandes-Ferreira
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pereira-Wilson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008112:Liver Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D047311:Luteolin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000097245:Ursolic Acid
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D005960:Glucosides; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; D008055:Lipids; D008112:Liver Glycogen; D047311:Luteolin; D014315:Triterpenes; D000097245:Ursolic Acid; C066408:luteolin-7-glucoside