Glucose uptake-stimulatory activity of Amomi Semen in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Amomi Semen has been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of diabetes in Korea. The aim of this study was to examine whether it had an enhancing effect on glucose uptake, an essential process of insulin action. Its aqueous ethanolic extract significantly stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes at the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. The extract significantly potentiated insulin-stimulated glucose uptake with a dose-dependent manner at a concentration range from 0.02 to 0.5 mg/ml. The results suggest that the antidiabetic action of Amomi may be mediated through the stimulation of glucose uptake and the potentiation of insulin action.