Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Structural Biology and Analytical Chemistry Approaches for Characterizing C-Glycoside Metabolic Enzymes in Human Gut Microbiota
Published on: May 23, 2025
α-Pyrones with glucose uptake-stimulatory activity from the twigs of Cryptocarya wrayi
Xiao-Na Wang1, Xiao-Dong Kuang2, Yong Wang1
1School of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, PR China.
Abstract:
Five new α-pyrones, cryptowratones A-E (1-5), and five known congeners (6-10), together with four other known compounds 11-14 were isolated from the twigs of Cryptocarya wrayi. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis and ECD calculations. All α-pyrones except 6 were evaluated for their stimulatory effects on glucose uptake in vitro with CHO-K1/GLUT4 cells. The positive control insulin displayed an approximate 42 ± 0.14% promotion on glucose uptake at 25 μM, compared with the CHO-K1/GLUT4 group. Compounds 1a/2a, 2, 3, and 10 showed a more significant stimulation of glucose uptake than insulin (25 μM) by 36 ± 0.08%, 27 ± 0.12%, 28 ± 0.12%, and 25 ± 0.12% at 1.5 μM, respectively. Immunofluorescence assays indicated the glucose uptake-stimulatory activity of α-pyrones might be correlated with increased GLUT4 translocation.
Related Concept Videos
Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the...
Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine

