Derivatives of ergostatrien-3-β-ol from
The present invention provides a method for treating diabetes, hyperlipidemia or hepatic total lipids by using ergostatrien-3β-ol and its derivatives, as well as a method for decreasing blood glucose and HbA1c levels and reducing blood total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, whereas increasing blood HDL-C levels; and a method for decreasing hepatic total lipid and triacylglycerol levels; and increasing expression levels of membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and phospho-Akt in skeletal muscle tissue, and phospho-AMPK in both skeletal muscle and liver tissue using ergostatrien-3β-ol and its derivatives.
1. A method for decreasing mRNA levels of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase), sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), apolipoprotein C-III (apo C-III), and SREBP2, but increasing mRNA levels of apolipopretein A-I (apo A-I) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor .alpha. (PPAR.alpha.) in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of compounds represented by formula (I)
wherein R is a hydrogen atom,
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cell is obtained from a subject with a condition of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hepatic total lipids or ballooning degeneration.
3. A method for increasing expression levels of membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle and phospho-AMPK in both skeletal muscle and liver tissue, comprising contacting the tissue with an effective amount of compounds represented by formula (I)
wherein R is a hydrogen atom
4. The compound according to claim 3 , wherein the compounds increase expression levels of phospho-Akt in skeletal muscle to enhance insulin sensitivity.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the tissue is obtained from a subject with diabetes.
6. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the tissue is obtained from a subject with a condition of hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia or hepatic total lipids.
7. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the compounds are obtained from Antrodia camphorata.