bioRxiv Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.09.07.285916

Effects of gypenosides on enteroendocrine L-cell function and GLP-1 secretion

Patibandla, C.·Campbell, E.·Shu, X.·Shaw, A. M.·Dolan, S.·Patterson, S.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone produced in gut L-cells, which regulates postprandial glucose-dependent insulin secretion, also known as the incretin effect. GLP-1 secretion may be reduced in type 2 diabetes mellitus, impacting on glycaemic regulation. Thus, methods to enhance endogenous GLP-1 secretion by use of natural GLP-1 secretagogues may improve glucose control in diabetes. Gypenosides (GYP) extracted from the plant Gynostemma Pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan) are known for their glucose-lowering effects both in vitro and in vivo, although their effect on GLP-1 secretion is unknown. Our results showed that GYP enhanced cell viability and significantly upregulated antioxidant gene Nrf2, Cat and Ho-1 expression. GYP did not affect glucokinase expression but downregulated proglucagon gene expression over 24h, although, cellular GLP-1 content was unchanged. Prohormone convertase 1 (Pcsk1) gene expression was unchanged by GYP over 24h, although protein levels were significantly downregulated, while prohormone convertase 2 (Pcsk2) mRNA and protein levels were significantly upregulated. Acute exposure to gypenosides enhanced calcium uptake and GLP-1 release from GLUTag cells both at low and high glucose concentrations. These results suggest that anti-diabetic properties of gypenosides are partly linked to their ability to stimulate GLP-1 secretion. Gypenosides enhance antioxidant gene expression and may protect L-cells from excess oxidative stress.

Explore related subjects

pharmacology and toxicologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Patibandla, C., Campbell, E., Shu, X., Shaw, A. M., Dolan, S., Patterson, S.. 2020-09-07. Effects of gypenosides on enteroendocrine L-cell function and GLP-1 secretion. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.07.285916

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Lipid-ASO therapeutics exhibit differential tissue targeted delivery upon systemic or local CNS administration

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are a powerful therapeutic modality, but their full potential is hindered by pharmacokinetic properties that affect tissue and cellular delivery. Lipid conjugation is increasingly used to modulate ASO's biodistribution and promote extrahepatic activity, yet lipid dependent effects on in vivo functional delivery, particularly in the central nervous system (CNS), remain less explored. Here, we performed a side by side in vivo comparison of cholesterol, palmitic acid (C16:0), docosanoic acid (C22:0), and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5) conjugated to a fully phosphorothioated 3 10 3 LNA gapmer ASO targeting the Malat1 long non coding RNA. Lipid-ASO conjugates were administered systemically or locally in the brain of mice and evaluated for tissue level and cellular level distribution by imaging, qPCR and single-cell RNA sequencing, simultaneously annotating cell origin and global transcriptional changes within the cell. Following systemic administration in mice, lipid conjugation improved overall multi organ efficacy compared to unconjugated ASO, but with pronounced tissue specific differences. Single cell sequencing of liver and heart transcriptomes revealed lipid dependent cellular uptake patterns and transcriptional responses distinct from administration of unconjugated ASO. After intracerebroventricular administration, selected fatty acid conjugates enhanced silencing in deep brain regions such as the striatum, whereas cholesterol conjugation impaired functional delivery despite increased CNS retention. Light-sheet microscopy showed restricted parenchymal penetration of cholesterol ASOs compared with broader but heterogeneous distribution of palmitic acid conjugate. Together, these findings demonstrate that lipid identity critically determines ASO efficacy, productive cellular uptake, and regional CNS engagement, emphasizing the need for context specific lipid design in ASO therapeutic development.

pharmacology and toxicology↗
bioRxiv2026

Novel Dissymmetric Ionizable Lipid-Assembled Lipid Nanoparticles for Delivery of Ferroptosis-Related siRNA in Diabetic Treatment

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) enables precise post-transcriptional gene silencing for refractory diseases, yet its clinical translation remains limited by the lack of safe and efficient delivery vectors. Inspired by the dissymmetric alkyl chain architecture of natural membrane phospholipids, we designed and synthesized 34 novel ionizable lipids with dissymmetric hydrophobic tails and formulated them into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Through systematic physicochemical and biological assessments, we established clear structure-activity relationships and identified two lead LNPs (O14-LNP, H18a-LNP) with superior endosomal escape capacity, enhanced in vivo gene silencing potency, and favorable biosafety relative to the clinical benchmark MC3-LNP. In both streptozotocin-induced and spontaneous db/db type 2 diabetes (T2D) mouse models, lead LNPs delivering ferroptosis-related siRNAs effectively ameliorated glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, restored islet function, and alleviated hepatic steatosis. This study not only lays a theoretical foundation for the rational design of novel ionizable lipids, but also validates the therapeutic potential of siRNA therapy targeting ferroptosis, providing a versatile delivery platform and targeted therapeutic strategy for the treatment of T2D.

pharmacology and toxicology↗
bioRxiv2020

A vapor inhalation method for delivering heroin alters nociception, body temperature and spontaneous activity in female and male rats

BackgroundThe ongoing crisis related to non-medical use of opioids makes it of continued importance to understand the risk factors for opioid addiction, the behavioral and neurobiological consequences of opioid exposure and to seek potential avenues for therapy. Pre-clinical rodent models have been critical to advancing understanding of opioid consequences for decades, but have been mostly limited to drug delivery by injection or by oral dosing. Inhalation, a significant route for many human users, has not been as well-established. MethodWe adapted an e-cigarette based exposure system, previously shown efficacious for delivery of other drugs to rats, to deliver heroin vapor. Effects in vivo were assessed in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats using a warm-water assay for anti-nociception and an implanted radiotelemetry system for evaluating changes in body temperature and spontaneous activity rate. ResultsInhalation of vapor created by heroin 100 mg/mL in the propylene glycol (PG) vehicle significantly slowed tail-withdrawal from a 52{degrees}C water bath, bi-phasically altered activity, and increased temperature in male and female rats. Inhalation of heroin 50 mg/mL for 15 minutes produced significant effects, as the lower bound on efficacy, whereas inhalation of heroin 100 mg/mL for 30 minutes produced robust effects across all endpoints and groups. ConclusionsThis work shows that e-cigarette devices deliver psychoactive doses of heroin to rats, using concentrations of [~]50-100 mg/mL and inhalation durations of 15-30 minutes. This technique may be useful to assess the health consequences of inhaled heroin and other opioid drugs.

pharmacology and toxicology↗