Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Isolation and Differentiation of Stromal Vascular Cells to Beige/Brite Cells
Published on: March 28, 2013
Constituents from Terminalia species increase PPARα and PPARγ levels and stimulate glucose uptake without enhancing
Min Hye Yang1, Yelkaira Vasquez, Zulfiqar Ali
1National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, USA.
Ethnopharmacological Relevance:
The fruits of Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (Combretaceae) and T. chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) are important components of triphala, a popular Ayurvedic formulation, for treating diabetes in Indian traditional medicine.
Aim Of The Study:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the constituents of T. bellerica and T. chebula fruit extracts on PPARα and PPARγ signaling/expression, cellular glucose uptake and adipogenesis.
Materials And Methods:
PPARα and PPARγ signaling and expression (luciferase assay and western blot) and the insulin-stimulated uptake of 2-NBDG were determined in HepG2 cells. The effects on adipogenesis were determined in 3T3-L1 cells by Oil red O staining and measurement of lipid content by AdipoRed reagent.
Results:
Out of the 20 compounds, two ellagitannins, chebulagic acid (1) and corilagin (2), and three gallotannins, 2,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (3), 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (4), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (5), showed the enhancement of PPARα and/or PPARγ signaling. Two of the gallotannins (4 and 5) also increased PPARα and PPARγ protein expression, while all three (3-5) enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into HepG2 cells. Compound 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (4) was the most potent in increasing cellular glucose uptake (9.92-fold increase at 50 μM). In the test for adipogenesis, 3-5 did not enhance the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes but inhibited the adipogenic effect of rosiglitazone.
Conclusion:
Three gallotannins (3-5) from Terminalia fruits acting as enhancers of both PPARα and PPARγ signaling increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake without inducing the adipogenesis, with 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (4) being the most effective in stimulating glucose uptake and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (5) being most effective in increasing PPAR protein expression.
Related Concept Videos
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Cell Specific Gene Expression
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
