(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits starch digestion and improves glucose homeostasis through direct or indirect activation of PXR/CAR-mediated phase II metabolism in diabetic mice

As a major component of green tea, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has attracted interest from scientists owing to its potential to combat a variety of human diseases including abnormal glucose metabolism in obesity and diabetes. This study aims to (1) evaluate the molecular mechanism of EGCG in starch digestion before EGCG absorption; (2) investigate the link between PXR/CAR-mediated phase II metabolism and glucose homeostasis after EGCG is transported to small intestine and liver. EGCG suppressed starch hydrolysis both in vitro and in vivo . Molecular simulation results demonstrated that EGCG could bind to the active site of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, acting as an inhibitor. In addition, the anti-diabetic action of EGCG was investigated in high fat diet and STZ-induced type 2 diabetes. EGCG improved glucose homeostasis and inhibited the process of gluconeogenesis (PEPCK and G-6-Pase) and lipogenesis (SREBP-1C, FAS and ACC1) in the liver. Meanwhile, EGCG treatment activated PXR/CAR, accompanied by upgrading PXR/CAR-mediated phase II drug metabolism enzyme expression in small intestine and liver, involving SULT1A1, UGT1A1 and SULT2B1b. Dietary polyphenol EGCG could serve as a promising PXR/CAR activator and therapeutic intervention in diabetes. As a major component of green tea, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has attracted interest from scientists owing to its potential to combat a variety of human diseases including abnormal glucose metabolism in obesity and diabetes.