Abstract
Scope:
This research work was designed and conducted to explore the joint effect of capsaicin and quercetin and the potential mechanism for the regulation of hyperglycemia.
Methods and results:
Insulin-resistance (IR) HepG2 cell model and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes mouse model were applied for the investigation. Our results illustrated that capsaicin and quercetin can exert hypoglycemic effects via reducing the concentrations of serum lipids of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, decreasing hepatic enzyme activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase, as well as improving the histopathological morphology of liver and pancreas tissues. After administration with capsaicin and quercetin, the relative protein expression abundance of Ras, Raf-1, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 were obviously attenuated compared to diabetic mice. Capsaicin and quercetin at a ratio of 3:1 was generally determined as the optimal combination.
Conclusion:
Capsaicin and quercetin present in the chili pepper fruit can act in a synergistic way to alleviate hyperglycemia. This study provides supporting data for the discovery of novel anti-diabetic components and for the valorization of chili pepper industry. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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