The preventive effect of total saponins from Panax japonicus on inflammation and insulin resistance in adipose tissue of mice induced by a high-fat diet

Abstract We aimed to investigate the effects of total saponins from Panax japonicus (TSPJ) on adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Moreover, its underlying mechanism was further explored. In vivo, we found that TSPJ inhibited the activation of NF-κB and increase the transcription of p-AKT, leading to reduced inflammation and improved sensitivity of adipocytes to insulin. In vitro evaluation revealed that palmitic acid (PA) induced inflammation by activating the NF-κB pathway, and triggered insulin resistance by affecting the expression of p-AKT in adipocytes. Treatment with 30 mg/kg and 90 mg/kg TSJP in animals and pre-treatment with 25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL TSJP in 3T3-L1 could inhibit inflammation and insulin resistance induced by HFD and PA. Our study showed that TSPJ inhibited adipocyte inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Besides, TSPJ could also affect the expression of p-AKT to increase insulin sensitivity in adipocytes via targeting AMPK.