(-)-Tarchonanthuslactone exerts a blood glucose-increasing effect in experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

A number of studies have proposed an anti-diabetic effect for tarchonanthuslactone based on its structural similarity with caffeic acid, a compound known for its blood glucose-reducing properties. However, the actual effect of tarchonanthuslactone on blood glucose level has never been tested. Here, we report that, in opposition to the common sense, tarchonanthuslactone has a glucose-increasing effect in a mouse model of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The effect is acute and non-cumulative and is present only in diabetic mice. In lean, glucose-tolerant mice, despite a slight increase in blood glucose levels, the effect was not significant.

• Authors: Gabriela F P de Souza, Luiz F T Novaes, Carolina M Avila, Lucas F R Nascimento, Licio A Velloso, Ronaldo A Pilli
• Journal: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (Molecules) Vol. 20 Issue 3 Pg. 5038-49 (Mar 19 2015) ISSN: 1420-3049 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 25808148 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Pyrones
• tarchonanthuslactone

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Glucose (drug effects)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental (metabolism)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Male
• Mice
• Obesity (metabolism)
• Pyrones (administration & dosage, chemistry, pharmacology)