Maslinic acid reduces blood glucose in KK-Ay mice

Abstract

In the present study, we have examined the hypoglycemic effect of maslinic acid (MA) in KK-Ay mice, an animal model of genetic type-2 diabetes. MA (10 mg/kg body wt) reduced the blood glucose levels in KK-Ay mice at 4 h after a single oral dose. KK-Ay mice receiving MA at daily dosages of 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg for 2 weeks showed a significant reduction in the blood glucose levels. Furthermore, the results also showed that MA might modulate glucose metabolism partially through reducing insulin resistance in KK-Ay mice. Taken together, MA may hold great promise as a natural therapeutic agent for treatment of type 2 diabetes. © 2007 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.