Sandalwood seed oil ameliorates hepatic insulin resistance by regulating the JNK/NF-B inflammatory and PI3K/AKT insulin signaling pathways

Sandalwood (santalum spicatum) seed oil (SSO) is rich in ximenynic acid. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SSO on high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFHSD) induced insulin resistance (IR) in comparison with fish oil (FO), sunflower oil (SO) and linseed oil (LO). Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five dietary groups: standard chow diet (controls), HFHSD plus 7% SSO, HFHSD plus 7% FO, HFHSD plus 7% SO and HFHSD plus 7% LO. After 12 weeks of feeding, the rats were sacrificed, and the serum parameters, hepatic lipids and underlying molecular mechanisms were studied. SSO, FO or LO significantly prevented glucose intolerance, hyperglycaemia, obesity, and hepatic lipid accumulation, and decreased the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and the serum levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1 and TNF-) compared with SO. In addition, SSO activated the PI3K/AKT insulin signaling pathway and down-regulated the JNK/NF-B inflammatory signaling pathway in the liver. In summary, our results proved that SSO exerted an ameliorative effect on IR by regulating the hepatic inflammation related blockage of the insulin signaling pathway in the rats.