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Anti-diabetic effect of ginsenoside Re in ob/ob mice
Jing-Tian Xie1, Sangeeta R Mehendale, Xinmin Li
1Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, The Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, MC 4028, IL 60637, USA.
Abstract:
We evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of ginsenoside Re in adult male C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Diabetic ob/ob mice with fasting blood glucose levels of approximately 230 mg/dl received daily intraperitoneal injections of 7, 20 and 60 mg/kg ginsenoside Re for 12 consecutive days. Dose-related effects of ginsenoside Re on fasting blood glucose levels were observed. After the 20 mg/kg treatment, fasting blood glucose levels were reduced to 188+/-9.2 and 180+/-10.8 mg/dl on Day 5 and Day 12, respectively (both P<0.01 compared to vehicle group, 229+/-9.5 and 235+/-13.4 mg/dl, respectively). The EC(70) of ginsenoside Re was calculated to be 10.3 mg/kg and was used for subsequent studies. Consistent with the reduction in blood glucose, there were significant decreases in both fed and fasting serum insulin levels in mice treated with ginsenoside Re. With 12 days of ginsenoside treatment, glucose tolerance of ob/ob mice increased significantly, and the area under the curve for glucose decreased by 17.8% (P<0.05 compared to vehicle treatment). The hypoglycemic effect of the ginsenoside persisted even at 3 days of treatment cessation (blood glucose levels: 198+/-13.1 with ginsenoside treatment vs. 253+/-20.3 mg/dl with vehicle, P<0.01). There were no significant changes in body weight or body temperature. Preliminary microarray analysis revealed differential expression of skeletal muscle genes associated with lipid metabolism and muscle function. The results suggest that ginsenoside Re may prove to be useful in treating type 2 diabetes.
Insights
Ginsenoside Re effectively lowers blood glucose and improves glucose tolerance in diabetic mice. This compound shows potential for treating type 2 diabetes, with effects persisting after treatment cessation.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Natural Products
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes is a global health concern characterized by hyperglycemia.
- Obesity and diabetes are often linked, with ob/ob mice serving as a model for studying diabetes.
- Ginsenosides, derived from Panax ginseng, are being investigated for various medicinal properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-diabetic effects of ginsenoside Re in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes.
- To determine the dose-response relationship and efficacy of ginsenoside Re in reducing blood glucose levels.
- To investigate the impact of ginsenoside Re on glucose tolerance, insulin levels, and related gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Adult male C57BL/6J ob/ob mice were administered daily intraperitoneal injections of ginsenoside Re (7, 20, 60 mg/kg) for 12 days.
- Fasting blood glucose, fed serum insulin, and glucose tolerance were measured.
- Microarray analysis was performed on skeletal muscle tissue.
Main Results:
- Ginsenoside Re demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in fasting blood glucose levels.
- Significant decreases in fed and fasting serum insulin levels were observed.
- Glucose tolerance improved, with a 17.8% decrease in the area under the glucose curve; hypoglycemic effects persisted post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Ginsenoside Re exhibits significant anti-diabetic properties, including glucose-lowering and improved glucose tolerance.
- The compound may modulate lipid metabolism and muscle function, as suggested by preliminary gene expression analysis.
- Ginsenoside Re shows promise as a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes.