Hypoglycemic effect of trans-dehydrocrotonin, a nor-clerodane diterpene from Croton cajucara

trans-Dehydrocrotonin (t-DCTN), a 19-nor-clerodane diterpene isolated from the bark of Croton cajucara Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) demonstrated a significant hypoglycemic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats but not in normal rats, at oral doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight. The drug also effectively lowered the blood sugar levels in glucose fed normal rats. The hypoglycemic effect of t-DCTN was almost comparable to that produced by glibenclamide (2 mg/kg), a clinically useful drug. The results indicate the antihyperglycemic potential of t-DCTN.