Abelmoschus esculentus fractions potently inhibited the pathogenic targets associated with diabetic renal epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Food Funct. 2016 Feb;7(2):728-40. doi: 10.1039/c5fo01214g.

Abstract

Although Abelmoschus esculentus (AE) is known for anti-hyperglycemia, few reports have addressed its target. Our recent studies have focused on diabetic renal epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays a critical role in fibrosis that accompanies increasing vimentin and suggested signals DPP-4/AT-1/TGF-β1. This study aimed to investigate whether AE is useful for preventing diabetic renal EMT. We used a succession of extractions and obtained the corresponding fractions F1-F5, each with its own individual properties: F1 inhibits high glucose-stimulated vimentin, AT-1, TGF-β1, and DPP-4, and recovers E-cadherin in tubular cells; F2 decreases high glucose-induced vimentin, AT-1 and DPP-4; F3-F5 do not reduce the expression of vimentin. Chemical analysis revealed that F1 is rich of flavonoid glycosides especially quercetin glucosides, and pentacyclic triterpene ester. F2 contains a large amount of carbohydrates and polysaccharides composed of uronic acid, galactose, glucose, myo-inositol etc. In conclusion, AE has the potential to serve as an adjuvant for diabetic nephropathy, with F1 and F2 especially deserving further investigation and development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abelmoschus / chemistry*
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / drug therapy
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / genetics
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / metabolism
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / physiopathology*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / physiopathology*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Vimentin / genetics
  • Vimentin / metabolism

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Vimentin
  • Glucose