Metabolic syndrome is characterized by dysregulated glucose metabolism and is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Although glucose-lowering therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are effective, use may be limited by cost, administration route, side effects and tolerability. This in vitro study shows that a standardized, phospholipid-formulated bergamot extract (Vazguard™) stimulates GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) signaling pathways, offering a potential natural alternative for glucose modulation in metabolic syndrome.
Phospholipid-formulated bergamot extract (BP) exhibited a dose-dependent (0.31–5 mg/mL) increase in cAMP biosensor fluorescence, consistent with GLP-1R-associated signaling and a maximal response of approximately 60% relative to the positive control (GLP-1R agonist II). In contrast, BP showed no inhibitory effect on DPP4 activity and did not alter GLUT4-mediated glucose uptake under the experimental conditions tested.
Biomedicines. 2026, 14 May.