title: Sarcopoterium spinosum extract as an antidiabetic agent: in vitro and in vivo study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) sp., a common plant in the Mediterranean region, is widely used as an antidiabetic drug by Bedouin healers. However, the antidiabetic properties of Sarcopoterium spinosum had not been fully validated using scientific tools.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of Sarcopoterium spinosum extract as an antidiabetic agent in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  RINm pancreatic beta-cells, L6 myotubes, 3T3-L1 adipocytes and AML-12 hepatocytes were treated with an aqueous Sarcopoterium spinosum extract (0.001-10mg/ml). The effect of the extract on specific physiological functions, including insulin secretion, pancreatic beta-cell viability, GSK3 beta phosphorylation, lipolysis and glucose uptake was measured. In vivo studies were performed using KK-A(y) mice, given the extract for several weeks. IPGTT was performed, and plasma insulin, FFA, food consumption and body weight were measured. In addition, diabetic KK-A(y) mice were given a single dose of the extract, and IPGTT was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sarcopoterium spinosum extract increased basal and glucose/forskolin-induced insulin secretion in RINm cells, and increased cell viability. The extract inhibited lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and induced glucose uptake in these cells as well as in AML-12 hepatocytes and L6 myotubes. GSK3 beta phosphorylation was also induced in L6 myotubes, suggesting increased glycogen synthesis. Sarcopoterium spinosum extract had a preventive effect on the progression of diabetes in KK-A(y) mice. Catechin and epicatechin were detected in Sarcopoterium spinosum extract using hyphenated LC-MS/MS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sarcopoterium spinosum extract has effects that mimic those of insulin and provide the basis for antidiabetic activity of the extract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Ariel University Center of Samaria, Ariel 40700, Israel.
authors.forename: Polina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smirin
authors.forename: Dvir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taler
authors.forename: Guila
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abitbol
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brutman-Barazani
authors.forename: Zohar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kerem
authors.forename: Sanford R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.forename: Tovit
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rosenzweig
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002392:Catechin / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006003:Glycogen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005576:Colforsin; D002392:Catechin; D006003:Glycogen; D005947:Glucose