Effects of Maslinic Acid as a Novel Glycogen Phosphorylase Inhibitor on Blood Glucose and Hepatic Glycogen in Mice

ABSTRACTAIMTo determine the effects of maslinic acid, a novel glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor, on blood glucose and hepatic glycogen in normal and hyperglycemia mice and investigate its mechanism.METHODSMice were given intragastrically either vehicle or maslinic acid for 7 days. The model of hyperglycemia in mice was set up by subcutaneous injection of adrenaline or intragastric administration of glucose respectively; the fasting plasma glucose and hepatic glycogen of both normal and hyperglycemia mice were measured.RESULTSThe elevation of blood glucose level caused by adrenaline or glucose was antagonized by maslinic acid significantly. Maslinic acid also increased the hepatic glycogen content in both adrenaline and glucose-induced hyperglycemia mice. Maslinic acid showed no significant effect on fasting plasma glucose level while increased the hepatic glycogen content of normal mice.CONCLUSIONMaslinic acid presents anti-diabetic effect, the mechanism is probably concerned with inhibiting excessive hepatic glycogen degradation.