A multitarget approach to evaluate the efficacy of Aquilaria sinensis flower extract against metabolic syndrome

Authors: CHAE, HEE-SUNG - University Of Mississippi; DALE, OLIVIA - University Of Mississippi; MAQBOOL, MIR TAHIR - University Of Mississippi; ZHAO, JIANPING - University Of Mississippi; AVULA, BHARATHI - University Of Mississippi; KHAN, IKHLAS - University Of Mississippi; KHAN, SHABANA - University Of Mississippi

Submitted to: Molecules
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2022
Publication Date: 1/19/2022
Citation: Chae, H., Dale, O., Maqbool, M., Zhao, J., Avula, B., Khan, I.A., Khan, S.I. 2022. A multitarget approach to evaluate the efficacy of Aquilaria sinensis flower extract against metabolic syndrome. Molecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27030629.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27030629

Interpretive Summary: This study was carried out to explore the benefit of Aquilaria sinensis (commonly known as agarwood) flowers against diabetes cardiovascular disorder and obesity through in vitro methods involving liver cells, musculoskeletal cells and fat cells. A methanolic extract of A. sinensis flowers was found to have effects against metabolic disorders and increased the glucose uptake by muscle cells while lipid accumulation was decreased in fat cells. The findings of this study indicated the potential of A. sinensis flowers in the prevention of metabolic disorders and further studies are warranted.

Technical Abstract: Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng. is known for its resinous secretion (agarwood), often secreted by it in defense against injuries. The resin of A. sinensis is highly valuable due to its use in therapeutic perfumes, traditional medicines, and aromatic food ingredients. The leaf and stem of A. sinensis have been extensively studied earlier but the flower has not been explored for its pharmacological effects. We investigated the effects of A. sinensis flower extract (AF) on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and gamma (PPARa and PPAR'), liver X receptor (LXR), glucose uptake, and lipid accumulation (adipogenesis). Activation of PPARa, PPAR' and LXR was determined in hepatic (HepG2) cells by a reporter gene assay. Glucose uptake was determined in differentiated muscle (C2C12) cells with 2-NBDG. Adipogenesis was determined in adipocytes (3T3-L1 cells) by Oil red O staining. At a concentration of 50 µg/mL, AF caused 11-fold activation of PPARa and 5-fold activation of PPAR', while the activation of LXR was only 1.82-fold. AF inhibited (28%) the adipogenic effect induced by rosiglitazone in adipocytes and increased glucose uptake by1.6-fold in muscle cells at 50 µg/mL. It was concluded that AF acted as a PPARa/' dual agonist without the undesired effect of adipogenesis and retained the property of enhancing glucose uptake. This is the first report to reveal the PPARa/' dual agonistic action and glucose uptake enhancing property of A. sinensis flower extract (AF) along with its antiadipogenic effect indicating its potential in preventing the symptoms of metabolic disorder.