title: Myrcia bella Leaf Extract Presents Hypoglycemic Activity via PI3k/Akt Insulin Signaling Pathway.
abstract: Species of Myrcia are used by indigenous people and in traditional communities in Brazil for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus. We investigated the hypoglycemic effect of the extract of leaves of Myrcia bella in diabetic mice. The chemical fingerprinting of the 70% EtOH extract characterized as main constituents flavonoid aglycones, flavonoid-O-glycosides, and acylated flavonoid-O-glycosides derivatives of quercetin and myricetin. Mice were treated with saline or extract of M. bella (300 or 600 mg/Kg b.w.) for 14 days. Body weight and water and food intake were measured every day. Fasting blood glucose was measured weekly. At the end of the treatment, blood insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and protein were measured. Glycogen content and expression of proteins of the insulin signaling pathway were measured in liver. The treatment with 600 mg/Kg reduced the fasting blood glucose in diabetic mice of the 7th day as water and food intake and increased hepatic glycogen. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced in diabetic treated mice. The treatment increased the expression of IRS-1, PI3-K, and AKT in the livers of diabetic treated mice. The results indicate that the extract of the leaves of Myrcia bella has hypoglycemic properties and possibly acts to regulate glucose uptake by the liver.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscilla Maria Ponce
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Vareda
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Leonardo
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Saldanha
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nathalia Aparecida de Paula
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Camaforte
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natalia Moretti
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Violato
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 17033-360 Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Anne Lígia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dokkedal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 17033-360 Bauru, SP, Brazil ; Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, 14-01, 17033-360 Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bosqueiro