Homoplantaginin attenuates high glucose‐induced vascular endothelial cell apoptosis through promoting autophagy via the AMPK/TFEB pathway

Vascular endothelial cell (VEC) injury is a key factor in the development of diabetic vascular complications. Homoplantaginin (Hom), one of the main flavonoids from Salvia plebeia R. Br. has been reported to protect VEC. However, its effects and mechanisms against diabetic vascular endothelium remain unclear. Here, the effect of Hom on VEC was assessed using high glucose (HG)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells and db/db mice. In vitro, Hom significantly inhibited apoptosis and promoted autophagosome formation and lysosomal function such as lysosomal membrane permeability and the expression of LAMP1 and cathepsin B. The antiapoptosis effect of Hom was reversed by autophagy inhibitor chloroquine phosphate or bafilomycin A1. Furthermore, Hom promoted gene expression and nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB). TFEB gene knockdown attenuated the effect of Hom on upregulating lysosomal function and autophagy. Moreover, Hom activated adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited the phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K, and TFEB. These effects were attenuated by AMPK inhibitor Compound C. Molecular docking showed a good interaction between Hom and AMPK protein. Animal studies indicated that Hom effectively upregulated the protein expression of p-AMPK and TFEB, enhanced autophagy, reduced apoptosis, and alleviated vascular injury. These findings revealed that Hom ameliorated HG-mediated VEC apoptosis by enhancing autophagy via the AMPK/mTORC1/TFEB pathway.