Massoud Mashhadi Akbar Boojar - Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
Mahdi Mashhadi Akbar Boojar - Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Yaghuob Firoozivand - Department of Pathobiology, Malekan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Malekan, Iran

Introduction: Imperialine (Imp) is a steroidal alkaloid present as the main active constituent of medicinal herb, Fritillaria imperialis with many biological and therapeutic effects. However, it has not been investigated in vitro for hypoglycemic effects. Herein, the effects of Imp on cell survival, carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes (alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase), glucose uptake ability, insulin secretion levels, Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) including pentosidine, methylglyoxal, and ۳-deoxyglucosone levels and the activity of glyoxalase I as the main factor for degradation of AGEs were examined.Materials and Methods: C۲C۱۲ skeletal muscle and beta-TC۶ pancreatic cells were incubated with Imp at concentrations of ۰, ۲۵, ۵۰, ۷۵, and ۱۰ μg/ml and the cells were evaluated separately. The biological assays were based on ultraviolet-visible (UV/VIS) spectrophotometric and/or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods.Results: Imp had considerable and dose-dependent effects on glucose uptake and insulin secretion (P<۰.۰۵). The highest levels of glucose uptake were achieved at a concentration of ۱۰۰ μg/ml of Imp. Increased glycation index, cytotoxicity, and decreased glyoxalase I activity appeared mostly at concentrations of ۷۵ μg/ml and higher. The studied alkaloid demonstrated remarkable hypoglycemic effect by inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase.Conclusions: Consequently, the results of the present study revealed possible hypoglycemic effects of Imp and it could be suggested for future studies in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. 

Advanced glycation end products, Glucose Uptake, Imperialine, Insulin Secretion