Planta Med 2002; 68(2): 173-175
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-20251
Letter

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Ellagitannins from Lagerstroemia speciosa as Activators of Glucose Transport in Fat Cells

Takeo Hayashi1 , Haruko Maruyama1 , Royji Kasai1 , Katsuji Hattori1 , Shunsuke Takasuga1 , Osamu Hazeki1 , Kazuo Yamasaki1 , Takashi Tanaka2
  • 1Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
  • 2Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

March 29, 2001

June 10, 2001

Publication Date:
22 February 2002 (online)

Abstract

Glucose transport enhancers were searched for in Lagerstroemia speciosa, a Philippine local herbal medicine used for diabetes mellitus. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the aqueous acetone extract of the leaves afforded three active ellagitannins, lagerstroemin, flosin B and reginin A, identified by NMR and optical rotation. These compounds increased glucose uptake of rat adipocytes, and could be responsible for lowering the blood glucose level.

References

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Prof. Kazuo Yamasaki

Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Faculty of Medicine

Hiroshima University

1-2-3 Kasumi

Minami-ku

Hiroshima 734-8551

Japan

Email: yamasaki@pharm.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Fax: +81-82-257-5289