Studies on the mechanism of the hypoglycemic activity of ginsenoside-Rb2 in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Abstract

The effect of ginsenoside-Rb2 purified from ginseng was examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The rats of the ginsenoside-Rb2-treated group showed a significant decrease of blood glucose level. A moderate (but statistically insignificant) increase in the hepatic glycogen content was observed. Furthermore, the ginsenoside-Rb2-treated group showed a significant rise of glucokinase activity in the liver, while there was a significant decrease in the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase. These results suggest that the changes of glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase levels probably represent one of the mechanisms of the hypoglycemic action produced by ginsenoside-Rb2.