Antihyperglycemic activity of kinsenoside, a high yielding constituent from Anoectochilus roxburghii in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Different doses of kinsenoside, a high yielding constituent from Anoectochilus roxburghii, was orally administered to further investigate its biological activity and pharmacological mechanisms that involve in the hypoglycemic effect on streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Our study showed that this compound exhibited significantly antihyperglycemic activity at the dose of 15 mg/kg body weight, which is speculated to be partially attributed to modulating the activity of enzymatic antioxidants, scavenging free radicals, and reducing the content of factor NO. Much more intact P cells in the islets of Langerhans with denser insulin in kinsenoside-treated groups than the negative control were observed, which greatly supported the morphological and functional elucidation. These results displayed that kinsenoside could be useful for repairing P cells in pancreatic islet injury as well as improving its function. The OGTT evidenced that this compound could promote the glucose tolerance of acute glucose increase in both diabetic and normal healthy rats. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.