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Planta Med 2003; 69(12): 1075-1079
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45185
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Antihyperglycemic Effect of Andrographolide in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Bu-Chin Yu1 , Chen-Road Hung1 , Wang-Chuan Chen2 , Juei-Tang Cheng1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
  • 2Department of Chinese Medicine, Jin-Ai Municipal Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
The present study is supported in part by a grant from the National Science Council (NSC91-2320-B006-076)
Further Information

Publication History

Received: May 30, 2003

Accepted: August 30, 2003

Publication Date:
29 January 2004 (online)

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Abstract

The antihyperglycemic action of andrographolide, an active principle in the leaves of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees, was investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats). Oral treatment of andrographolide decreased the plasma glucose concentrations of STZ-diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner. Similar treatment with andrographolide also decreased the plasma glucose in normal rats and the maximal effect was more marked than that in STZ-diabetic rats. Andrographolide at the effective dose (1.5 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, andrographolide enhanced the uptake of radioactive glucose in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the mRNA and protein levels of the subtype 4 form of the glucose transporter (GLUT4) in soleus muscle were increased after repeated intravenous administration of andrographolide in STZ-diabetic rats for 3 days. These results suggest that andrographolide can increase the glucose utilization to lower plasma glucose in diabetic rats lacking insulin.

Key words

Andrographolide - Andrographis paniculata - Acanthaceae - STZ-diabetic rats - insulin-independent diabetes mellitus

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Professor Juei-Tang Cheng

Department of Pharmacology

College of Medicine

National Cheng Kung University

Tainan City

Taiwan 70101

R.O.C.

Phone: +886-6-237-2706

Fax: +886-6-238-6548

Email: jtcheng@mail.ncku.edu.tw