Hypoglycemic activity of Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. components using a glucose uptake assay with 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is a cereal plant native to Taiwan. In this study, the hypoglycemic activity of djulis was investigated using a glucose uptake assay with 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Dehusk seeds (SD) or husks (HD) of djulis were extracted using 6 solvents with different polarities (i.e., water, hexane, acetone, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol). The crude water extract of husk of djulis (WHD) showed the highest increase in glucose uptake with 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Thus, it was further separated by solvent partition, XAD-7 gel column chromatography, and HPLC. Two hypoglycemic components (P1 and P2) were isolated from WHD. They showed hypoglycemic activity at 5-10 ppm. P1 might have a synergistic effect with insulin. P2, however, did not enhance insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, which might mean it is an insulin mimic. The results suggested that djulis is a potential anti-diabetes functional food ingredient.