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Planta Med 2008; 74(2): 109-113
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1034275
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Hypoglycemic Effect of Syringin from Eleutherococcus senticosus in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Ho-Shan Niu1 , 2 , I-Min Liu3 , Juei-Tang Cheng4 , Che-Ling Lin1 , 5 , Feng-Lin Hsu1
  • 1Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 2Department of Nursing, Jente Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 3Department of Pharmacy, College of Environmental and Health Sciences, Tajen University, Yen-Pou, Ping Tung Shien, Taiwan
  • 4Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
  • 5Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 22, 2007 Revised: September 10, 2007

Accepted: October 8, 2007

Publication Date:
17 January 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Araliaceae) is a very powerful adaptogenic agent. In the present study, the effects of syringin, an active principle of this herb, on plasma glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats) were investigated. Thirty minutes after syringin was intravenously injected into fasting STZ-diabetic rats, plasma glucose levels dose-dependently decreased. In normal rats, syringin at the effective dose (1.0 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the increase in plasma glucose caused by an intravenous glucose challenge. Syringin dose-dependently (0.01 to 10.0 μmol/L) stimulated glucose uptake in soleus muscle isolated from STZ-diabetic rats. Syringin treatment of hepatocytes isolated from STZ-diabetic rats enhanced glycogen synthesis. The ability of syringin to enhance glucose utilization and lower plasma glucose level in rats suffering from insulin deficiency suggest that this chemical may be useful in the treatment of human diabetes.

Key words

Syringin - Eleutherococcus senticosus - Araliaceae - STZ-diabetic rats - glucose uptake - glycogen synthesis

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Professor Feng-Lin Hsu

Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy

School of Pharmacy

Taipei Medical University

Taipei City

Taiwan

R.O.C.

Fax: +886-2-2737-0903

Email: hsu0320@tmu.edu.tw