Insulin-Mimetic and Antioxidant Activities exerted by steviol glycosides in a Glut4-expressing cell model

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni possesses a high content of sweet diterpenoid glycosides in its leaves, mainly stevioside and rebausidiside A, which a re used as noncaloric, natural sweeters. The aim of the study was to deepen the knowledge about the insulin-mimetic effect exerted by four different mixtures of steviol glicosides, rich in stevioside and rebaudioside A, in a cell model expressing the insulin dependent glucose transporter, GLUT 4. The potential antioxidant activity of steviol glycosides was also assessed as oxidative stress is associated with diabetes. The insulin-mimetic effect and the antioxidant property exerted by steviol glycosides suggest their potential beneficial role in the co-treatment of diabetes and in the health maintenance.