In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic effects of anthocyanins from Maqui Berry (Aristotelia chilensis)

► Anthocyanins (ANC) from Aristotelia chilensis improve fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance in obese diabetic mice. ► ANC decreases glucose production and enhances insulin-induced gene expression of glucose-6-phosphatase in liver cells. ► ANC increases both insulin and non-insulin mediated glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. ► Delphinidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucoside (D3S5G) is isolated and identified as a characteristic anthocyanin from Maqui Berry. ► D3S5G decreases fasting hyperglycaemia in obese diabetic mice and improves glucose metabolism in liver and muscle cells.