Pancreatic islet regeneration by ephedrine in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
In this experiment, we investigated the effects of crude Ephedrae herba, alkaloid extract of Ephedrae herba and 1-ephedrine, a major alkaloid component, on diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). The alkaloid extract and 1-ephedrine showed suppression on the hyperglycemia. The suppression by Ephedrae herba of hyperglycemia may therefore be due to 1-ephedrine. Furthermore, we found that Ephedrae herba, alkaloid and 1-ephedrine promoted the regeneration of pancreas islets following atrophy induced by STZ. It is therefore suggested that Ephedrae herba may regenerate atrophied pancreatic islets, restore the secretion of insulin, and thus correct hyperglycemia.
Xiu
L M
LM
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Akita University School of Medicine. Japan.
Miura
A B
AB
Yamamoto
K
K
Kobayashi
T
T
Song
Q H
QH
Kitamura
H
H
Cyong
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029789:Ephedra; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D020835:Medicine, Kampo; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012038:Regeneration; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000009:adverse effects
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013311:Streptozocin; D004809:Ephedrine