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Published in: European Journal of Nutrition 3/2016

01-04-2016 | Original Contribution

Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) attenuates insulin resistance in a diet-induced obesity mouse model

Authors: Meriem Ouchfoun, Hoda M. Eid, Lina Musallam, Antoine Brault, Shilin Li, Diane Vallerand, John T. Arnason, Pierre S. Haddad

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

Using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model, we investigated the antidiabetic effect of Labrador tea [Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) Kron and Judd], a beverage and medicinal tea used by the Cree Nations of northern Quebec.

Methods

C57BL6 mice were divided into five groups and given standard chow (~4 % of lipids) or high-fat diet (~35 % of lipids) for 8 weeks until they became obese and insulin resistant. Treatment began by adding the plant extract at three doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) to the high-fat diet for another 8 weeks. At the end of the study, insulin-sensitive tissues (liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue) were collected to investigate the plant’s molecular mechanisms.

Results

Labrador tea significantly reduced blood glucose (13 %), the response to an oral glucose tolerance test (18.2 %) and plasma insulin (65 %) while preventing hepatic steatosis (42 % reduction in hepatic triglyceride levels) in DIO mice. It stimulated insulin-dependent Akt pathway (55 %) and increased the expression of GLUT4 (53 %) in skeletal muscle. In the liver, Labrador tea stimulated the insulin-dependent Akt and the insulin-independent AMP-activated protein kinase pathways. The improvement in hepatic steatosis observed in DIO-treated mice was associated with a reduction in inflammation (through the IKK α/β) and a decrease in the hepatic content of SREBP-1 (39 %).

Conclusions

Labrador tea exerts potential antidiabetic action by improving insulin sensitivity and mitigating high-fat diet-induced obesity and hyperglycemia. They validate the safety and efficacy of this plant, a promising candidate for culturally relevant complementary treatment in Cree diabetics.
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Metadata
Title
Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) attenuates insulin resistance in a diet-induced obesity mouse model
Authors
Meriem Ouchfoun
Hoda M. Eid
Lina Musallam
Antoine Brault
Shilin Li
Diane Vallerand
John T. Arnason
Pierre S. Haddad
Publication date
01-04-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0908-z

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