In vitro Activity of Picroside I in Type 2 Diabetes Based on Oxidative Stress

Abstract The primary factor leading to insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is oxidative stress. Despite its liver-protecting, enzyme-lowering, immune-regulating, and antiviral effects, the impact of picroside I on oxidative stress, glucose utilization, and IR has not been investigated yet. In vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant properties of different concentrations of picroside I. The results showed that picroside I effectively suppresses α-glucosidase and α-amylase with IC50 values of 109.75 μg/mL and 160.71 μg/mL in the range of 50-500 μg/mL. Additionally, when IR-HepG2 cells were treated with 80 μg/mL of picroside I, it was found to have little effect on cell viability, increase glucose consumption, decrease the levels of the free radical metabolite malonic dialdehyde, and increase superoxide dismutase activity. These findings indicate that picroside I has the potential to regulate oxidative stress in IR-HepG2 cells, potentially improving IR and exhibiting anti-T2DM activity.