Constituents from Cistus salvifolius (Cistaceae) activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ but not -δ and stimulate glucose uptake by adipocytes.

A number of medicinal/culinary herbs have been reported to improve glucose metabolism and to yield hypoglycemic effects in patients with diabetes. Since stimulation of insulin sensitivity appears to be a potential mechanism, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ is a likely target molecule for small lipophilic compounds derived from endogenous metabolism and nutrition. Functionally, PPAR γ integrates the control of energy, lipid, and glucose homeostasis. In addition, PPAR δ activity is involved in energy expenditure. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate whether PPAR γ and PPAR δ as well as the stimulation of glucose uptake is activated by botanical products. CISTUS SALVIFOLIUS (Cistaceae) has been identified as a candidate botanical in a preliminary screening of extracts from medicinal plants of Greek flora. In a bioguided approach, crude extracts, fractions and in the end purified compounds have been evaluated for PPAR γ and PPAR δ specific activities using cell-based transactivation assays. Glucose uptake was measured by nonradioactive 2-[ N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG) uptake. Concerning PPAR γ several extracts induced reporter gene activity, and clear dose-response patterns (0.1-100 µg/mL) could be established in the case of the cyclohexane and dichloromethane extracts. Isolation of individual compounds from the cyclohexane extract revealed that at least 6 out of 7 compounds isolated were active with TRANS-cinnamic acid showing a clear dose-response pattern. In contrast, they were found to be inactive on PPAR δ. The same compounds, however, were also active in stimulating glucose uptake into 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In summary, the bioguided fractionation of CISTUS SALVIFOLIUS yields PPAR γ stimulating metabolites with differing chemical natures. In conclusion, PPAR γ represents a candidate molecule for the mediation of improvement of glucose metabolism by botanical/nutritional products.