cis-Banglene, a bangle (Zingiber purpureum)-derived bioactive compound, f promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and glucose uptake by activating the IL-6/AMPK signaling pathway in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells

Recently, we reported that bangle intake promotes exercise-induced effects such as reducing insulin resistance and non-esterified fatty acid levels and ameliorating the loss of autophagy function in rats fed high-fat diets. In the present study, we examined the physiological effects of cis-banglene on C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. cis-Banglene activated AMPK, an exercise mimic target. It also promoted glucose uptake (2-NBDG uptake) and mitochondrial biogenesis (Rho 123 uptake and mtDNA copy number) as well as increased the mRNA expression (real-time PCR) and secretion of IL-6 (ELISA), a myokine produced by exercising skeletal muscles. Furthermore, cis-banglene significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of PPAR gamma, PGC-1 alpha, LPL, CD36, and UCP3. These findings are consistent with previously reported changes in mRNA expression levels in the muscles during exercise. Thus, cis-banglene is a candidate exercise mimetic for increasing mitochondrial biogenesis and glucose uptake by activating the IL-6/AMPK signaling pathway.