Authors : Bongiwe Khumalo, Angezwa Siboto, Ntethelelo Sibiya, Andile Khathi and Phikelelani Siphosethu Ngubane
Abstract: Studies have reported that Momordica balsamina (MB) increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells. The effects of M. balsamina on insulin resistant skeletal muscle cells however, are yet to be established. The aim of the study therefore, is to investigate the glucose lowering effects of M. balsamina in the palmitic acid induced insulin resistant (C2C12) skeletal muscle cell lines, in-vitro. Cell viability was conducted in muscle cells to examine the cytotoxic effects of M. balsamina. Cell viability of C2C12 muscle cell lines was measured by means of 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Insulin resistance was induced in skeletal muscle cell line (C2C12) using palmitic acid (1 mM) administered in each well. Cells were trypsinised and seeded into 24-well plates at a seeding density of 1.8×104 cells/well and incubated for 24 h to permit attachment and growth of cells to semi-confluency. Media was replaced with the media containing palmitic (500 uL) acid then these cells were incubated for 4 h. After 4 h, new media was added. Media glucose concentration was measured at 12, 24 and 48 h with One Touch select glucometer. The lipid peroxidation marker, malanoaldehyde (MDA) was measured and the total antioxidants capacity. Furthermore, glycogen storage was measured using glycogen assay. No toxic effects were demonstrated in all 3 doses M. balsamina. The administration of MB significantly increased glucose uptake at 48 h of incubation by comparison to palmitic acid exposed control cells. Interestingly, the combination of MB and insulin significantly increased glucose uptake by comparison to MB alone at 48 h. Furthermore, MB-treated cells had an increase glycogen storage and reduced reactive oxygen production. These findings may suggest that MB possesses potential health benefit such as insulin sensitising and antihyperglycaemia through improving glucose uptake and attenuating oxidative stress in skeletal muscle.
Bongiwe Khumalo, Angezwa Siboto, Ntethelelo Sibiya, Andile Khathi and Phikelelani Siphosethu Ngubane, 2021. Effect of Momordica balsamina on Insulin Resistant C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cell lines. Agricultural Journal, 16: 50-56.