Loureirin B attenuates insulin resistance in HepG2 cells by regulating gluconeogenesis signaling pathway

Insulin resistance (IR) is the main cause of type 2 diabetes. The liver is the organ where insulin is secreted from the pancreas, and it regulates the storage and release of glucose according to the body's demand. Althouth Loureirin B (LB) has been reported to promote insulin secretion and decrease blood glucose, the effects of LB on glucose metabolism in the liver and the mechanism is still unclear. Different concentrations of LB were applied to treat on insulin resistance model (IR-HepG2) cells. The research results showed that LB inhibited the production of ROS (Reactive oxygen species) in IR-HepG2 cells, promoted the phosphorylation of AKT, down-regulated the expression of FoxO1, and up-regulated the expression of IRS1 and GLUT4. In addition, LB also down regulated the glucose metabolism related genes PEPCK and GSK3β. The glucose uptake, consumption and glycogen content were increased. Moreover, LB-treated diabetic mice also showed hypoglycaemic effects. In summary, LB may ameliorate type 2 diabetes by preventing the inactivation of IRS1/AKT pathway in IR-HepG2 cells, increasing insulin sensitivity, and regulating glucose uptake and production.