Study of the Hypoglycemic Activity of Rhamnolipids Using the In Ovo Model

The prevalence of diabetes has increased considerably in recent decades, representing a global health problem. Although several pharmacological approaches for the treatment of diabetes are available, it is pertinent to explore more effective alternatives with reduced adverse effects. In this work, the hypoglycemic activity of rhamnolipids was studied using the chicken embryo (in ovo) model. The results obtained demonstrated that rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa #112 and commercial rhamnolipids (RL-90) significantly reduced blood glucose levels of chicken embryos on embryonic day 11 (from 135 ± 11 mg/dL to 94–107 mg/dL). These values were similar to those achieved with human insulin (104 ± 20 mg/dL) and the rapid-acting human insulin analog FIASP® (95 ± 18 mg/dL). It was also verified that rhamnolipids did not have a negative effect on chicken embryo development at the concentrations tested. Regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the decrease in blood glucose levels, for both insulins, a reduction in the expression of genes encoding the glucose transporter 2 (glut2) and the gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase 1 was observed. However, in the case of rhamnolipids, only a reduction in the expression of glut2 was observed. According to the results obtained, rhamnolipids are potential candidates for further studies on the development of new alternative treatments for diabetes symptoms.