Rutin potentiates insulin receptor kinase to enhance insulin‐dependent glucose transporter 4 translocation

SCOPE: We investigated whether rutin, a flavonoid isolated from Toona sinensis Roem, has the ability to enhance insulin‐dependent receptor kinase (IRK) activity and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation in differentiated myotubes. We also tested the effects of rutin treatment in insulin‐resistant mice using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Rutin potentiated insulin receptor kinase (IRK) phosphorylation when IRK autophosphorylation was triggered by insulin in differentiated myotubes. Co‐treatment of cells with rutin and insulin attenuated S961‐mediated inhibition of insulin‐dependent GLUT4 translocation. In S961‐treated C57BL/6 mice, an in vivo model of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, rutin treatment showed a normoglycemic effect in the OGTT. CONCLUSION: This study shows evidence that rutin may serve as a potential agent for glycemic control through enhancement of IRK activity, thereby inducing the insulin signaling pathway causing increased GLUT4 translocation and increased glucose uptake.