A sulfonamide chalcone AMPK activator ameliorates hyperglycemia and diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), which currently lacks effective treatments. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) stimulation by chalcones, a class of polyphenols abundantly found in plants, is proposed as a promising therapeutic approach for DM. This study aimed to identify novel chalcone derivatives with improved AMPK-stimulating activity in human podocytes and evaluate their mechanisms of action as well as in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of DN. Among 133 chalcone derivatives tested, the sulfonamide chalcone derivative IP-004 was identified as the most potent AMPK activator in human podocytes. Western blot analyses, intracellular calcium measurements and molecular docking simulation indicated that IP-004 activated AMPK by mechanisms involving direct binding at allosteric site of calcium-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) without affecting intracellular calcium levels. Interestingly, eight weeks of intraperitoneal administration of IP-004 (20 mg/kg/day) significantly decreased fasting blood glucose level, activated AMPK in the livers, muscles and glomeruli, and ameliorated albuminuria in db/db type II diabetic mice. Collectively, this study identifies a novel chalcone derivative capable of activating AMPK in vitro and in vivo and exhibiting efficacy against hyperglycemia and DN in mice. Further development of AMPK activators based on chalcone derivatives may provide an effective treatment of DN.