title: Enzogenol improves diabetes-related metabolic change in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dietary use of pine bark extract has been associated with reduced risk of inflammation and diabetes. In this study, we investigated the antidiabetic effects of enzogenol, proanthocyanidins-rich bioflavonoid extract derived from the pine bark of New Zealand Pinus radiata trees, using C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 1-week acclimation period, the db/db mice were divided into vehicle-treated, Enzogenol-treated (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg; EZ) and positive control (tea polyphenol 50 mg/kg; TPP) groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The administration of EZ improved the glucose tolerance and lowered the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C ), insulin and glucagon levels in blood. Interestingly, EZ and TPP treatments resulted in reduced hepatic free fatty acid, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in db/db mice. EZ and TPP treatments significantly elevated hepatic AMPK activity, and the expression of proteins related to glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism, such as glucokinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α and long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase protein level with a simultaneous reduction of glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase protein expression. In addition, the EZ administration groups had an increased hepatic glycogen synthase expression in db/db mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that EZ may be beneficial in improving insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetic mice by enhancing the glucose and lipids metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Pharmacy and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chae-Young
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Se-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Choung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011794:Quercetin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D005934:Glucagon; D005947:Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D011794:Quercetin; C551551:enzogenol; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human
keywords: Enzogenol; gluconeogenesis; glucose homeostasis; insulin resistance; type 2 diabetes