The plasma glucose lowering action of tetrandrine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
The effect of tetrandrine, an active principle of Stephaniae tetrandrae, on the plasma glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats) was investigated. A single intravenous injection of tetrandrine decreased the plasma glucose in a dose-dependent manner in STZ-diabetic rats. Moreover, tetrandrine (1.0 mg x kg(-1)) significantly attenuated the rise in plasma glucose induced by the intravenous glucose challenge test in normal rats. A stimulatory effect of tetrandrine on glucose uptake was obtained in soleus muscles isolated from STZ-diabetic rats with a concentration-dependent manner from 0.01 to 10.0 micromol L(-1). The increase in glucose utilization by tetrandrine was further characterized using the enhancement of glycogen synthesis in the hepatocytes of STZ-diabetic rats. These results suggest that tetrandrine has the ability to enhance glucose utilization in peripheral tissue, resulting in the lowering of plasma glucose in diabetic rats lacking insulin.
Chen
Wang-Chuan
WC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Tokyo City, Japan.
Hayakawa
Satoshi
S
Yamamoto
Tatsuo
T
Huang
Lee-Wen
LW
Liu
I-Min
IM
Cheng
Juei-Tang
JT
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006003:Glycogen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D000470:Alkaloids; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C009438:tetrandrine; D006003:Glycogen; D005947:Glucose