Positive Health Online

Abstract

VILLA-RODRIGUEZ and COLLEAGUES, 1 School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK; 2 Szent István University, Faculty of Food Science, Department of Applied Chemistry, 29-43 Villányi, Budapest, H-1118, Hungary;         3 School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK; 4 School of Design, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK; 5 School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. g.williamson@leeds.ac.uk conducted an in vitro mechanistic study on the acute metabolic actions of the major polyphenols in chamomile regarding their potential to attenuate postprandial hyperglycaemia.

Background

Transient hyperglycaemia is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and endothelial dysfunction, especially in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Methodology

Nutritional interventions and strategies for controlling postprandial overshoot of blood sugars are considered key in preventing progress to the disease state.

Results

We have identified apigenin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin, and (Z) and (E)-2-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid glucosides as the active (poly)phenols in Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) able to modulate carbohydrate digestion and absorption in vitro as assessed by inhibition of α-amylase and maltase activities. The latter two compounds previously mistakenly identified as ferulic acid hexosides were purified and characterised and studied for their contribution to the overall bioactivity of chamomile. Molecular docking studies revealed that apigenin and cinnamic acids present totally different poses in the active site of human α-amylase. In differentiated Caco-2/TC7 cell monolayers, apigenin-7-O-glucoside and apigenin strongly inhibited D-[U-14C]-glucose and D-[U-14C]-sucrose transport, and less effectively D-[U-14C]-fructose transport. Inhibition of D-[U-14C]-glucose transport by apigenin was stronger under Na+-depleted conditions, suggesting interaction with the GLUT2 transporter. Competitive binding studies with molecular probes indicate apigenin interacts primarily at the exofacial-binding site of GLUT2.

Conclusion

Taken together, the individual components of Chamomile are promising agents for regulating carbohydrate digestion and sugar absorption at the site of the gastrointestinal tract.

References

Jose A Villa-Rodriguez  1 , Asimina Kerimi  1 , Laszlo Abranko  1   2 , Sarka Tumova  1 , Lauren Ford  3   4 , Richard S Blackburn  4 , Christopher Rayner  3 , Gary Williamson  5. Acute metabolic actions of the major polyphenols in chamomile: an in vitro mechanistic study on their potential to attenuate postprandial hyperglycaemia  Sci Rep.;8(1):5471. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23736-1. Apr 3 2018.