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

Ho-Shan Niu; I.-Min Liu; Juei-Tang Cheng; Che-Ling Lin; Feng-Lin Hsu

doi:10.1055/s-2008-1034275

Planta Medica, Table of Contents

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

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

Full Text

References

1 Lopez-Candales A. Metabolic syndrome X: a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology and recommended therapy. J Med. 2001; 32 283-300
2 Davydov M, Krikorian A D. Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: a closer look. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 72 345-93
3 Kwan C Y, Zhang W B, Sim S M, Deyama T, Nishibe S. Vascular effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus): endothelium-dependent NO- and EDHF-mediated relaxation depending on vessel size. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2004; 369 473-80
4 Goulet E D, Dionne I J. Assessment of the effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005; 15 75-83
5 Asano K, Takahashi T, Miyashita M, Matsuzaka A, Muramatsu S, Kuboyama M. et al . Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human physical working capacity. Planta Med. 1986; 37 175-7
6 Hikino H, Takahashi M, Otake K, Konn C. Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of eleutherans A, B, C, D, E, F, and G: glycans of Eleutherococcus senticosus roots. J Nat Prod. 1986; 49 293-7
7 Ruijun Z, Jinkang Q, Gnanghua Y, Baozhen W, Xiulan W. Medicinal protection with Chinese herb-compound against radiation damage. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1990; 61 729-31
8 Choi J, Shin K M, Park H J, Jung H J, Kim H J, Lee Y S. et al . Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of sinapyl alcohol and its glucoside syringin. Planta Med. 2004; 70 1027-32
9 Cho J Y, Nam K H, Kim A R, Park J, Yoo E S, Baik K U. et al . In-vitro and in-vivo immunomodulatory effects of syringin. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2001; 53 1287-94
10 Yan J, Tong S, Chu J, Sheng L, Chen G. Preparative isolation and purification of syringin and edgeworoside C from Edgeworthia chrysantha Lindl by high-speed counter-current chromatography. J Chromatogr A. 2004; 1043 329-32
11 Liu I M, Chi T C, Hsu F L, Chen C F, Cheng J T. Isoferulic acid as active principle from the rhizoma of Cimicifuga dahurica to lower plasma glucose in diabetic rats. Planta Med. 1999; 65 712-4
12 Ziel F H, Venkatesan N, Davidson M B. Glucose transport is rate limiting for skeletal muscle glucose metabolism in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes. 1988; 37 885-90
13 Berger J, Biswas C, Vicario P P, Strout H V, Saperstein R, Pilch P F. Decreased expression of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter in diabetes and fasting. Nature. 1989; 340 70-2
14 Bollen M, Keppens S, Stalmans W. Specific features of glycogen metabolism in the liver. Biochem J. 1998; 336 19-31
15 Consoli A, Nurjhan N, Capani F, Gerich J. Predominant role of gluconeogenesis in increased hepatic glucose production in NIDDM. Diabetes. 1989; 38 550-7
16 Villar-Palasi C, Guinovart J J. The role of glucose 6-phosphate in the control of glycogen synthase. FASEB J. 1997; 11 544-58
17 Davydov M, Krikorian A D. Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: a closer look. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 72 345-93
18 Brown D J. Herbal prescriptions for better health. Rocklin; Prima Lifestyles 1996: 69-77

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