Effects of Baccharin Isolated from Brazilian Green Propolis on Adipocyte Differentiation and Hyperglycemia in ob/ob Diabetic Mice

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 28;22(13):6954. doi: 10.3390/ijms22136954.

Abstract

Propolis is a honeybee product with various biological activities, including antidiabetic effects. We previously reported that artepillin C, a prenylated cinnamic acid derivative isolated from Brazilian green propolis, acts as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligand and promotes adipocyte differentiation. In this study, we examined the effect of baccharin, another major component of Brazilian green propolis, on adipocyte differentiation. The treatment of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with baccharin resulted in increased lipid accumulation, cellular triglyceride levels, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, and glucose uptake. The mRNA expression levels of PPARγ and its target genes were also increased by baccharin treatment. Furthermore, baccharin enhanced PPARγ-dependent luciferase activity, suggesting that baccharin promotes adipocyte differentiation via PPARγ activation. In diabetic ob/ob mice, intraperitoneal administration of 50 mg/kg baccharin significantly improved blood glucose levels. Our results suggest that baccharin has a hypoglycemic effect on glucose metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: PPARγ; baccharin; diabetes; propolis.

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Hyperglycemia / genetics
  • Hyperglycemia / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Propolis / chemistry*

Substances

  • Propolis
  • Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase