Transcriptome profiling reveals the antihyperglycemic mechanism of pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside extracted from wild raspberry

Abstract Emerging evidence suggests that anthocyanins prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D), however, its mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we sought to elucidate the antihyperglycemic mechanism of pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside (Pg3G) extracted from wild raspberry based on RNA-sequence. Our study showed that Pg3G ameliorated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in db/db mice. Besides, Pg3G improved serum lipid profiles and attenuated hepatic dysfunction. RNA-sequence analysis showed that Pg3G contributed to 301 genes upregulated and 269 genes downregulated. Further GO, KEGG and GSEA analysis indicated that Pg3G led to differential gene expressions enriched in glucose and lipid metabolism by upregulation of Elovl7, C1ql3, Cybb, Cytip, Src, Pdk4 and downregulation of Fasn, Aacs, Srebp1c, Mlxipl, Sorbs3, Gck, Slc2a4. RT-PCR validation of selected genes exhibited a positive correlation between RNA-sequence and RT-PCR results. Taken together, this study demonstrated that Pg3G attenuated T2D by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, which implicates the potential for T2D therapeutics.