Identification of Abietic Acid as A Key Component Responsible for The Renal Protective Action of Abies Balsamea, A Medicinal Plant of the Eastern James Bay Cree Pharmacopeia

The traditional medicinal plant, Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum(Oeder) Kron & Judd; Ericaceae), present in the pharmacopoeia of the Cree of Eeyou Istchee, has shown glitazone-like activity in the 3T3-L1 adipogenesis bioassay. This activity has been attributed to phenolic compounds, which have been shown to vary in this plant as a function of insolation parameters. The goal of this study was to determine if these changes in phenolic content were pharmacologically significant. Leaves were harvested in 2006 throughout the James Bay region of Northern Quebec and ethanol extracts were testedin vitrousing the 3T3-L1 murine cell line adipogenesis bioassay. This traditional medicinal plant was found active in the assay. However, there was no detectable spatial pattern in the accumulation of intracellular triglycerides, suggesting that such patterns previously observed in the phenolic profile of Labrador tea were not pharmacologically significant. Nonetheless, a reduction in the adipogenic activity was observed and associated with higher concentrations of quercetin for which selected environmental variables did not appropriately explain its variation.

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The Action of Antidiabetic Plants of the Canadian James Bay Cree Traditional Pharmacopeia on Key Enzymes of Hepatic Glucose Homeostasis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/189819 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Abir Nachar ◽

Diane Vallerand ◽

Lina Musallam ◽

Louis Lavoie ◽

Alaa Badawi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Glucose Homeostasis ◽

Plant Extracts ◽

Glycogen Synthase ◽

Abies Balsamea ◽

Glucose Production ◽

James Bay ◽

Key Enzymes ◽

Hepatic Glucose ◽

James Bay Cree ◽

Antidiabetic Plants

We determined the capacity of putative antidiabetic plants used by the Eastern James Bay Cree (Canada) to modulate key enzymes of gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis and key regulating kinases. Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and glycogen synthase (GS) activities were assessed in cultured hepatocytes treated with crude extracts of seventeen plant species. Phosphorylation of AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), Akt, and Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) were probed by Western blot. Seven of the seventeen plant extracts significantly decreased G6Pase activity,Abies balsameaandPicea glauca, exerting an effect similar to insulin. This action involved both Akt and AMPK phosphorylation. On the other hand, several plant extracts activated GS,Larix laricinaandA. balsamea, far exceeding the action of insulin. We also found a significant correlation between GS stimulation and GSK-3 phosphorylation induced by plant extract treatments. In summary, three Cree plants stand out for marked effects on hepatic glucose homeostasis.P. glaucaaffects glucose production whereasL. laricinarather acts on glucose storage. However,A. balsameahas the most promising profile, simultaneously and powerfully reducing G6Pase and stimulating GS. Our studies thus confirm that the reduction of hepatic glucose production likely contributes to the therapeutic potential of several antidiabetic Cree traditional medicines.

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