Panax notoginseng (Burk) F.H. Chen (Araliaceae) is a well-known and commonly used
traditional Chinese herb for treatment of various diseases, such as hemostasis, edema
and odynolysis.
Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms of anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects
of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) in KK-Ay mice, and explore the components in PNS
for such effects.
KK-Ay mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of PNS 200mg/kg or vehicle for
30 days while ginsenoside Re 14 mg/kg, Rd 15 mg/kg, Rg1 40 mg/kg, Rb1 60 mg/kg and
notoginsenoside R1 6 mg/kg for 12 days. Fasting blood glucose levels (FBGL), glucose
tolerance (GT), serum insulin, leptin levels, body weight changes, food intake, adipose
tissues and blood fat levels were measured at different time points.
The PNS group had significantly lower FBGL, improved GT and smaller body weight incremental
percentage after the 30-day treatment. Additionally, Rb1 exhibited significant reduction
of FBGL on day 12, and Re also exhibited a decreasing trend after the 12-day treatment.
PNS possess anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese activities by improving insulin- and
leptin sensitivity, and Rb1 is responsible for the anti-hyperglycemic effect among
the five saponins in KK-Ay mice.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.