In vitro and In vivo Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activity of Solidago virgaurea Extracts

Abstract

Background: Solidago virgaurea (Asteraceae), has been used for more than 700 years for treating cystitis, chronic nephritis, urolithiasis, rheumatism, and inflammatory diseases. However, the antidiabetic activity of Solidago virgaurea has been rarely studied. Methods: Three extracts of Solidago virgaurea were prepared and their antidiabetic potentials were evaluated by various cell-free, cell-based, and in vivo studies. Results: We found that the Solidago virgaurea contained multiple bioactive phytochemicals based on the GC-MS analysis. The Solidago virgaurea extracts effectively inhibited the functions of the carbohydrate digestive enzyme (α-glucosidase) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), as well as decrease the amount of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In the L6 myotubes, the Solidago virgaurea methanolic extract remarkably enhanced the glucose uptake via the upregulation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). The extract also significantly downregulated the expression of PTP1B. In the streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic mice, the daily intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg Solidago virgaurea methanolic extract for 24 days, substantially lowered the postprandial blood glucose level with no obvious toxicity. The extract’s anti-hyperglycemic effect was comparable to that of the glibenclamide treatment. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the Solidago virgaurea extract might have great potential in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.