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7209131 
Journal Article 
Procyanidin C1, a Component of Cinnamon Extracts, Is a Potential Insulin Sensitizer That Targets Adipocytes 
Sun, P; Li, Kai; Wang, T; Ji, Jun; Wang, Yan; Chen, K; Jia, Qi; Li, YiM; Wang, H; , 
2019 
Yes 
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
ISSN: 0021-8561
EISSN: 1520-5118 
AMER CHEMICAL SOC 
WASHINGTON 
67 
32 
8839-8846 
English 
31334651 
WOS:000481563600013 
Natural products are one of the main sources for discovering new lead compounds. We previously reported that cinnamon extract has a promising effect in regulating lipid tissue volume and insulin sensitivity in vivo. However, its effective component and the underlying mechanism are not known. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of different components of cinnamon on regulating insulin sensitivity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Functional assay revealed that, of the six major components of cinnamon extracts, the B-type procyanidin, procyanidin C1, improves the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells (TG content: 1.10 +/- 0.09 mM at a dosage of 25 mu M vs 0.67 +/- 0.02 mM in vehicle group, p < 0.001) and promotes insulin-induced glucose uptake (8.58 +/- 1.43 at a dosage of 25 mu M vs 3.05 +/- 1.24 in vehicle group, p < 0.001). Mechanism studies further suggested that procyanidin C1 activates the AKT-eNOS pathway, thus up-regulating glucose uptake and enhancing insulin sensitivity in mature adipocytes. Taken together, our study identified B-type procyanidin C1, a component of cinnamon extract, that stimulates preadipocyte differentiation and acts as a potential insulin action enhancer through the AKT-eNOS pathway in mature adipocytes.