Antiglycation activity of aucubin in vitro and in exogenous methylglyoxal injected rats

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is a causative factor of various chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease and atherosclerosis. AGE inhibitors, such as aminoguanidine and pyridoxamine, have the therapeutic activities for reversing the increase in AGEs burden. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of aucubin on the formation of methylglyoxal (MGO)-modified AGEs in vitro. We also determined the potential activity of aucubin in reducing the AGEs burden in the kidney, blood vessel, heart, and retina of exogenously MGO-injected rats. Aucubin inhibited the formation of MGO-modified AGE-bovine serum albumin (IC₅₀ = 0.57 ± 0.04 mmol/L) and its cross-links to collagen (IC₅₀ = 0.55 ± 0.02 mmol/L) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, aucubin directly trapped MGO (IC₅₀ = 0.22 ± 0.01 mmol/L) in vitro. In exogenous MGO-injected rats, aucubin suppressed the formation of circulating AGEs and its accumulation in various tissues. These activities of aucubin on the MGO-derived AGEs in vitro and in vivo showed its pharmacological potential for inhibiting AGEs-related various chronic diseases.