Effects of Oil Palm (Elais guineensis) Fruit Extracts on Glucose Uptake Activity of Muscle, Adipose and Liver Cells

S Faez (Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyah of Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Pahang)
H Muhajir (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor)
I Amin (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor)
A Zainah (Medical Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi 43000 Kajang, Selangor)

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development
Vol. 31 No. 2 (2014): ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development (AJSTD)

The effect of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fruit aqueous extract (OPF) on glucose uptake activity of three different cell lines was investigated. The cell lines were incubated with different concentrations of OPF to evaluate the stimulatory effect of OPF towards glucose uptake activity of L6 myotubes, 3T3F442A adipocytes and Chang liver cell line. The glucose uptake activities of all tested cells were enhanced in the presence of OPF extract (basal condition). Nevertheless in combination of OPF extract and 100 nM insulin, the glucose uptake activity was only significantly enhanced in L6 myotubes and 3T3F442A adipocytes cell lines. The extracts enhanced the glucose uptake into cells through either insulin-mimetic or insulin-sensitizing property or combination of these two properties. It can be suggested that the OPF extract exerts its antihyperglycemic action partly by mediated glucose uptake into the glucose-responsive disposal cells, muscle, adipose and liver.