The beneficial effects of the active components from Maclura tricuspidata fruits in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Five active compounds, daidzein, luteolin, alpinumisoflavone (AI), 6,8-diprenylgenistein (DG), and warangalone (WA), were identified from the fruits of Maclura tricuspidata via LC-Q/TOF-MS. WA and DG were shown to reverse the high glucose (HG)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), indicating their potential protective effects in alleviating diabetic symptoms. Network pharmacology was conducted to reveal the potential mechanisms of action of the compounds, and Hsp90α (degree: 47), Src (degree: 49), Akt (degree: 69) and p53 (degree: 60) were shown as the core targets related to antidiabetic properties. Further experimental verification suggested that the compounds could enhance phosphorylation of Src and Akt, increase p53 expression act as Hsp90 inhibitors, and protect against HG induced endothelial dysfunction. Our findings will provide a comprehensive understanding of the active substances of M. tricuspidata, which will be helpful for their utilisation.

Graphic Abstract

Keywords:

• Maclura tricuspidata
• diabetes mellitus
• LC-MS/ms
• molecular mechanism
• functional food

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The study was financially supported by the Taishan Scholar Project from Shandong Province to H.L. [grant number: ts20190950] and the Key Innovation Project of Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) [grant number: 2022JBZ01-06].