Anti-diabetic effects of Panax notoginseng saponins and its major anti-hyperglycemic components.
BACKGROUND
Panax notoginseng (Burk) F.H. Chen (Araliaceae) is a well-known and commonly used traditional Chinese herb for treatment of various diseases, such as hemostasis, edema and odynolysis.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms of anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) in KK-Ay mice, and explore the components in PNS for such effects.


METHODS
KK-Ay mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of PNS 200mg/kg or vehicle for 30 days while ginsenoside Re 14 mg/kg, Rd 15 mg/kg, Rg1 40 mg/kg, Rb1 60 mg/kg and notoginsenoside R1 6 mg/kg for 12 days. Fasting blood glucose levels (FBGL), glucose tolerance (GT), serum insulin, leptin levels, body weight changes, food intake, adipose tissues and blood fat levels were measured at different time points.


RESULTS
The PNS group had significantly lower FBGL, improved GT and smaller body weight incremental percentage after the 30-day treatment. Additionally, Rb1 exhibited significant reduction of FBGL on day 12, and Re also exhibited a decreasing trend after the 12-day treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
PNS possess anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese activities by improving insulin- and leptin sensitivity, and Rb1 is responsible for the anti-hyperglycemic effect among the five saponins in KK-Ay mice.
Yang
Chang-yong
CY
Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
Wang
Jing
J
Zhao
Yuan
Y
Shen
Li
L
Jiang
Xing
X
Xie
Zhen-guo
ZG
Liang
Nan
N
Zhang
Liu
L
Chen
Zhong-hua
ZH
D050154:Adiposity; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004435:Eating; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D053723:Panax notoginseng; D018517:Plant Roots; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D008055:Lipids; D012503:Saponins