Hypoglycemic and Insulin Release Effects of Tormentic Acid: A New Hypoglycemic Natural Product

Abstract

The effect of tormentic acid, a natural product isolated from Poterium ancistroides, was studied in normoglycemic, hyperglycemic, and streptozotocin diabetic rats. This principle lowered the fasting plasma glucose level with a corresponding increase in circulating insulin levels. Moreover, it improved the glucose tolerance test by increasing insulin secretory response to glucose. However, tormentic acid did not change the insulin and glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. All effects have been compared with that of glibenclamide. These results suggest that tormentic acid, like glibenclamide, may act by increasing insulin secretion from the islets of Langerhans.