l-Alanine activates hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase and modulates systemic glucose metabolism.

Objective: AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) is recognized as an important nutrient sensor contributing to regulation of cellular, tissue, and systemic metabolism. We aimed to identify specific amino acids which could modulate AMPK and determine effects on cellular and systemic metabolism.

Methods: We performed an unbiased amino acid screen to identify activators of AMPK.

Petasin activates AMP-activated protein kinase and modulates glucose metabolism.

Petasin (1), a natural product found in plants of the genus Petasites, has beneficial medicinal effects, such as antimigraine and antiallergy activities. However, whether or not 1 modulates metabolic diseases is unknown. In this study, the effects of 1 on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is considered a pharmacological target for treating metabolic diseases, are described.