title: Study of kaempferol glycoside as an insulin mimic reveals glycon to be the key active structure.
abstract: Diabetes mellitus is increasing in prevalence with patient numbers rising throughout the world. Current treatments for diabetes mellitus focus on control of blood glucose levels. Certain kinds of flavonoids or their glycosides stimulate cells to improve glucose uptake and lower blood glucose levels. We synthesized kaempferol 3-O-neohesperidoside (1), a naturally occurring substance present in Cyathea phalerata Mart., reported to mimic the action of insulin. Synthetic 1 promoted glucose uptake in the cultured cell line, L6. Further studies to determine the core structure responsible for this activity using synthetic compounds revealed neohesperidose to be the primary pharmacophore. These findings support the use of certain saccharides as a potential novel treatment for diabetes mellitus by replacing or supporting insulin.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Food Biochemistry, Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture.
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Food Biochemistry, Department of Bioscience and Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture.
authors.forename: Ryogo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hishiki
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Food Biochemistry, Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture.
authors.forename: Eisuke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Food Biochemistry, Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kawabata
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; flavonoid glycoside; glucose uptake; insulin