Antihyperglycemic effect of puerarin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Feng Lin Hsu, I. Min Liu, Daih Huang Kuo, Wang Chuan Chen, Hui Chen Su, Juei Tang Cheng

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217 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The antihyperglycemic action of puerarin, purified from the roots of Pueraria lobata, was investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats). Bolus intravenous injection of puerarin decreased the plasma glucose concentrations in a dose-dependent manner in STZ-diabetic rats. Similar treatment with puerarin also decreased the plasma glucose in normal rats, although the effect was not as great as that in STZ-diabetic rats. Puerarin at the effective dose (15.0 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the increase of plasma glucose induced by an intravenous glucose challenge test in normal rats. In the isolated soleus muscle of STZ-diabetic rats, puerarin enhanced the uptake of radioactive glucose in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the mRNA and protein levels of the subtype 4 form of glucose transporter (GLUT4) in soleus muscle were increased after repeated intravenous administration of puerarin in STZ-diabetic rats for 3 days. These results suggest that puerarin can increase the glucose utilization to lower plasma glucose in diabetic rats lacking insulin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)788-792
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Natural Products
Volume66
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Plant Science
  • Chemistry (miscellaneous)
  • Drug Discovery
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Pharmacology

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