Ballota nigra enhances glucose oxidation through in diethylhexyl phthalate exposed to human Chang liver cells
Abstract
Background: Ballota nigra (Lamiaceae) has been widely used as traditional medicine in many countries for the treatment of neurosedative, antidepressant, antioxidant, antibacterial, insecticidal, anticholinesterase and antifeedant effects. Aim: The present study examined the effects of Ballota nigra extract in diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposed Chang liver cells in vitro. Methods: Chang liver cells (5 x 105 cells) were exposed to 400 µM of DEHP for 24h. At the end of incubation, cells were treated with different doses of (50, 100 and 200 µg/ml) B. nigra aqueous extract and kept for 48 h and used for the assessment of insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) mRNA and glucose uptake and oxidation. Results: IR and IRS-2 mRNA, glucose uptake and oxidation in DEHP exposed Chang liver cells were significantly reduced (p<0.001). Cells treated with B. nigra extract could effectively enhance IR and IRS-2 mRNA and oxidation and uptake of glucose in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present findings are the first to report in identifying the antidiabetic activity of B.nigra against DEHP exposed detrimental changes insulin signaling molecules and glucose oxidation. Hence, B. nigra may have influence in controlling diabetes and hence it could be used a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Further studies on the possible role of B. nigra on the protein expression of downstream insulin signaling molecules in liver cells are warranted in order to strengthen the potential of B.nigra.