Publication: Improvements of insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats by a novel phytoestrogen from Curcuma comosa Roxb
Issued Date
2012
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eng
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Mahidol University
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BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Vol.12, (2012), 28
Suggested Citation
Mujalin Prasannarong, Vitoon Saengsirisuwan, Pawinee Piyachaturawat, Apichart Suksamrarn Improvements of insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats by a novel phytoestrogen from Curcuma comosa Roxb. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Vol.12, (2012), 28. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/2834
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Title
Improvements of insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats by a novel phytoestrogen from Curcuma comosa Roxb
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Abstract
Background: Curcuma comosa Roxb. (C. comosa) is an indigenous medicinal herb that has been used in Thailand
as a dietary supplement to relieve postmenopausal symptoms. Recently, a novel phytoestrogen, (3R)-1,7-diphenyl-
(4E,6E)-4,6-heptadien-3-ol or compound 049, has been isolated and no study thus far has investigated the role of C.
comosa in preventing metabolic alterations occurring in estrogen-deprived state. The present study investigated
the long-term effects (12 weeks) of C. comosa hexane extract and compound 049 on insulin resistance in
prolonged estrogen-deprived rats.
Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with C. comosa hexane extract (125
mg, 250 mg, or 500 mg/kg body weight (BW)) and compound 049 (50 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneally three times
per week for 12 weeks. Body weight, food intake, visceral fat weight, uterine weight, serum lipid profile, glucose
tolerance, insulin action on skeletal muscle glucose transport activity, and GLUT-4 protein expression were
determined.
Results: Prolonged ovariectomy resulted in dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin-stimulated skeletal
muscle glucose transport, as compared to SHAM. Treatment with C. comosa hexane extract and compound 049,
three times per week for 12 weeks, markedly reduced serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels,
improved insulin sensitivity and partially restored uterine weights in ovariectomized rats. In addition, compound
049 or high doses of C. comosa hexane extract enhanced insulin-mediated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and
increased muscle GLUT-4 protein levels.
Conclusions: Treatment with C. comosa and its diarylheptanoid derivative improved glucose and lipid metabolism
in estrogen-deprived rats, supporting the traditional use of this natural phytoestrogen as a strategy for relieving
insulin resistance and its related metabolic defects in postmenopausal women.