DMC (2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone) improves glucose tolerance as a potent AMPK activator

We investigated the effect and regulatory mechanism of 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC) isolated from Cleistocalyx operculatus on metabolic parameters in myotubes, adipocytes and an obese mouse model.

Myotubes and adipocytes were incubated with or without DMC. Glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, AMPK activation and adipocytes differentiation were investigated. To examine in vivo effect of DMC, 30mg/kg/day DMC was administered by oral gavage for 2weeks in high fat fed C57BL/6 male mice and intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance test was performed. In order to examine whether DMC directly activates AMPK, we performed cell free AMPK assay and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy analysis.

DMC increases glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in myotubes. Also, DMC inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Interestingly, DMC stimulates phosphorylation of AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) alpha subunit (T172) by directly binding to AMPK, which results in the activation of AMPK. Furthermore, DMC binds AMPK with a higher affinity than AMP. When AMPK was knocked down, the stimulatory effect of DMC on FAO and its inhibitory effect on adipogenesis were abolished. These results suggest that the effects of DMC were primarily mediated by AMPK activation. In addition, treating mice fed a high fat diet with DMC improved glucose tolerance and significantly increased FAO of the muscles.

DMC, as a novel AMPK activator, shows anti-diabetic effects in cell culture systems, such as myotubes and adipocytes, and in a diet-induced obese mouse model.