Homoisoflavonoids are potent glucose transporter 2 (GLUT 2) inhibitors–a potential mechanism for the glucose-lowering properties of Polygonatum odoratum

Foods of high carbohydrate content such as sucrose or starch increase postprandial blood glucose concentrations. The glucose absorption system in the intestine comprises two components: sodium-dependent glucose transporter-1 (SGLT1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2). Here five sappanin-type (SAP) homoisoflavonoids were identified as novel potent GLUT2 inhibitors, with three of them isolated from the fibrous roots of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce. SAP homoisolflavonoids had a stronger inhibitory effect on 25 mM glucose transport (41.6 ± 2.5, 50.5 ± 7.6, 47.5 ± 1.9, 42.6 ± 2.4, and 45.7 ± 4.1% for EA-1, EA-2, EA-3, MOA, and MOB) than flavonoids (19.3 ± 2.2, 11.5 ± 3.7, 16.4 ± 2.4, 5.3 ± 1.0, 3.7 ± 2.2, and 18.1 ± 2.4% for apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, naringenin, hesperetin, and genistein) and phloretin (28.1 ± 1.6%) at 15 μM. SAP homoisoflavonoids and SGLT1 inhibitors were found to synergistically inhibit the uptake of glucose using an in vitro model comprising Caco-2 cells. This observed new mechanism of the glucose-lowering action of P. odoratum suggests that SAP homoisoflavonoids and their combination with flavonoid monoglucosides show promise as naturally functional ingredients for inclusion in foods and drinks designed to control postprandial glucose levels.