Mulberry leaf reduces inflammation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic mice by TLRs and insulin Signalling pathway.

Background: It has been testified that Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a close association with chronic inflammation and Toll-like Receptors (TLRs), and DM could be prevented by mulberry leaf. Therefore, a hypothesis came into being that mulberry leaf could ameliorate proinflammation and insulin resistance (IR) through TLRs and insulin signalling pathways.

Methods: Water extracts of mulberry leaf (WEM) was given to diabetic mice by gavage for 10 weeks, and the diabetic mice was injected with low-dose streptozocin, fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) were conducted. At the same time, homeostasis model assessment of insulin (HOMA-IR) and the level of the inflammatory factor, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured. The expressions of critical nodes of TLRs and insulin signalling pathway were also examined.

Results: WEM contributed to a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, AUC from the investigation of OGTTs and HOMA-IR. The levels of the inflammatory factor, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) also declined. Moreover, WEM suppressed the expression of TLR2, myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88 (MyD88), tumour-necrosis-factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the skeletal muscle. WEM could up-regulate the expression of insulin receptor (InsR) and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), and down-regulate the phosphorylation of IRS1 in adipose tissue.

Conclusion: Through this study, a conclusion could be made that WEM mitigates hyperglycemia, IR, and inflammation through the interactions among TLR2 signalling pathway, insulin signalling pathway and TNF-α.