Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract regulates glucose and lipid metabolism by activating AMPK and PPAR pathways in HepG2 cells

J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Mar 20;61(11):2803-10. doi: 10.1021/jf400298c. Epub 2013 Mar 6.

Abstract

An epidemic of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes is rising dramatically. Using natural products as potential preventive and therapeutic interventions for these disorders has drawn worldwide attention. Rosemary has been shown to lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels and mitigate weight gain in several in vivo studies. However, the mechanisms are essentially unknown. We investigated the effects of rosemary extract on metabolism and demonstrated that rosemary extract significantly increased glucose consumption in HepG2 cells. The phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), was increased by rosemary extract. Rosemary extract also transcriptionally regulated the genes involved in metabolism, including SIRT1, PPARγ coactivator 1α (PGC1α), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), ACC, and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Furthermore, the PPARγ-specific antagonist GW9662 diminished rosemary's effects on glucose consumption. Overall, our study suggested that rosemary potentially increases liver glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation by activating AMPK and PPAR pathways.

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / genetics
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase / genetics
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / genetics
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / metabolism*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rosmarinus / chemistry*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • PPARGC1A protein, human
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Transcription Factors
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase
  • Glucose