Novel effects of macrostemonoside A, a compound from Allium macrostemon Bung, on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and visceral obesity in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice

Macrostemonoside A, a newly found compound, is derived from Allium macrostemon Bung. However, investigation into its nature is lacking. In this study, the effects of macrostemonoside A on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, visceral fat accumulation, and related enzyme activities in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice are examined. The results showed that mice fed with a high-fat diet had a significant increase in fasting blood glucose, liver glycogen, serum total cholesterol, and visceral fat accumulation, but were mildly or moderately inhibited by macrostemonoside A at a dose of 4 mg/kg/d after 30 days of treatment. This hypoglycemic effect might be associated with the potential increase in insulin sensitivity and visfatin expression, although it needs further validation in future studies. Its anti-obesity effect might be associated with elevated total lipase activity in visceral adipose cells. The up-regulation in the expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma 2 might be responsible for the increased lipase activity in visceral adipose cells. Furthermore, we supposed that its action mechanisms might promote energy metabolism in muscles. Macrostemonoside A, with its steroid-like structure, has no significant cortisone-like side effects on the immune system but has potential cardiovascular protective effects. These results suggested that a potential compound to treat hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and visceral obesity could be developed. However, its underlying mechanisms need further investigation in future studies. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.