Identification of matrine as a promising novel drug for hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance with HSP72 as an upstream target

Br J Pharmacol. 2015 Sep;172(17):4303-18. doi: 10.1111/bph.13209. Epub 2015 Jul 14.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Matrine is a small molecule drug used in humans for the treatment of chronic viral infections and tumours in the liver with little adverse effects. The present study investigated its therapeutic efficacy for insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in high-fat-fed mice.

Experimental approach: C57BL/J6 mice were fed a chow or high-fat diet for 10 weeks and then treated with matrine or metformin for 4 weeks. The effects on lipid metabolism and glucose tolerance were evaluated.

Key results: Our results first showed that matrine reduced glucose intolerance and plasma insulin level, hepatic triglyceride content and adiposity in high-fat-fed mice without affecting caloric intake. This reduction in hepatosteatosis was attributed to suppressed lipid synthesis and increased fatty acid oxidation. In contrast to metformin, matrine neither suppressed mitochondrial respiration nor activated AMPK in the liver. A computational docking simulation revealed HSP90, a negative regulator of HSP72, as a potential binding target of matrine. Consistent with the simulation results, matrine, but not metformin, increased the hepatic protein level of HSP72 and this effect was inversely correlated with both liver triglyceride level and glucose intolerance.

Conclusions and implications: Taken together, these results indicate that matrine may be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis, and the molecular action of this hepatoprotective drug involves the activation of HSP72 in the liver.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / administration & dosage*
  • Alkaloids / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Drug Delivery Systems / trends*
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy*
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism
  • Glucose Intolerance / drug therapy*
  • Glucose Intolerance / metabolism
  • HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins / agonists*
  • HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Matrines
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Quinolizines / administration & dosage*
  • Quinolizines / metabolism

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Quinolizines
  • Matrines