Metabolic and Antioxidant Modulation by Artemisia indica Willd. Aqueous Extract in Glucose and Cholesterol Dysregulation

Sep 30, 2026

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Artemisia indica Willd., a traditional medicinal and dietary herb, is evaluated for effects on dysglycemia and dyslipidemia using its aqueous extract (AAE). HPLC–ESI–MS/MS identifies 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid as a major active constituent. In BALB/cByJNarl mice induced with high-fat diet and streptozotocin, AAE for 6 weeks lowers fasting blood glucose and fructosamine, and reduces PKC-α and NF-κB expression, while modulating SREBP-1 and FAS to reduce lipid accumulation. AAE also inhibits polyol pathway activation and restores antioxidant enzyme activities, improving metabolic homeostasis.

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Abstract

Introduction

Results

Identification and Quantification of Phytochemical Constituents of Artemisia indica Willd. Aqueous Extract (AAE) by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Article Metabolic and Antioxidant Modulation by Artemisia indica Willd. Aqueous Extract in Glucose and Cholesterol Dysregulation Chiao-Yun Tseng 1,†, Yueching Wong 1,†, Charng-Cherng Chyau 2, Yu-Hsuan Liang 1, Hui-Hsuan Lin 3,‡ and Jing-Hsien Chen 1,4, *,‡ Academic Editors: Maria Scuto and Kota V. Ramana Received: 4 November 2025 Revised: 24 December 2025 Accepted: 24 December 2025 Published: 27 December 2025 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. 1 Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan; [1146002@live.csmu.edu.tw](1146002@live.csmu.edu.tw) (C.-Y.T.); [wyc@csmu.edu.tw](wyc@csmu.edu.tw) (Y.W.); [1346003@live.csmu.edu.tw](1346003@live.csmu.edu.tw) (Y.-H.L.) 2 Research Institute of Biotechnology, Hungkuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung City 43302, Taiwan; [ccchyau@hk.edu.tw](ccchyau@hk.edu.tw) 3 Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan; [linhh@csmu.edu.tw](linhh@csmu.edu.tw) 4 Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan * Correspondence: [cjh0828@csmu.edu.tw](cjh0828@csmu.edu.tw); Tel.: +886-4-24730022 (ext. 12195); Fax: +886-4-23248175 † These authors contributed equally to this work. ‡ These authors also contributed equally to this work. Abstract Artemisia indica Willd., a traditional medicinal and dietary herb, has been widely recognized for its diverse bioactivities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Artemisia indica Willd. aqueous extract (AAE) on dysglycemia and dyslipidemia. HPLC–ESI–MS/MS analysis identified 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid as the major active constituent of AAE. BALB/cByJNarl mice subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) injection were supplemented with AAE for 6 weeks. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we examined multiple metabolic pathways, including oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and the polyol pathway. AAE administration attenuated fasting blood glucose and reduced fructosamine levels and also ameliorated protein kinase C α (PKC-α) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression. Histopathological evaluation showed that AAE reduced lipid accumulation by modulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression. Additionally, AAE inhibited polyol pathway activation and restored antioxidant enzyme activities. Collectively, these findings indicate that AAE modulates glucose and cholesterol metabolism, attenuates oxidative stress, and improves metabolic homeostasis, supporting its potential as a natural herbal therapeutic agent. Keywords: Artemisia indica Willd.; glucose dysregulation; cholesterol dysregulation; polyol pathway; antioxidant activity 1. Introduction Glycemia resulting from β-cell dysfunction is a hallmark of metabolic dysregulation and disrupts glucose, lipid, and protein homeostasis, increasing the risk of metabolic and renal complications [1] . High-fat diet (HFD) feeding induces insulin resistance, and when combined with streptozotocin (STZ), it further impairs β-cell function, modeling human metabolic disturbances [2] . Excess glucose activates the polyol pathway, leading to aldose reductase-mediated fructose production and oxidative stress [3] . Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate protein kinase C (PKC) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) while reducing antioxidant defenses. Typical dyslipidemia refers to abnormal serum levels of cholesterol or triglycerides and further aggravates oxidative stress through sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-driven lipid biosynthesis [4] . Despite available treatments, managing glucose and cholesterol dysregulation remains challenging d

FAQs

What was the main aim of the study?

To evaluate how Artemisia indica Willd. aqueous extract (AAE) affects dysglycemia and dyslipidemia and to clarify related mechanisms.

Which active constituent was identified as major in the extract?

HPLC–ESI–MS/MS analysis identified 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid as the major active constituent of AAE.

How did AAE influence metabolic and oxidative stress pathways?

AAE attenuated fasting blood glucose, reduced fructosamine, modulated PKC-α and NF-κB expression, improved lipid accumulation via SREBP-1 and FAS, inhibited polyol pathway activation, and restored antioxidant enzyme activities.

Sep 30, 2026

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