Effects of magnolol (5,5′-diallyl-2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl) on diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic Goto–Kakizaki rats

We investigated the effect of magnolol (5,5′-diallyl-2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl), a marker compound isolated from the cortex of Magnolia officinalis, in non-obese type 2 diabetic Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rats. The rats were treated orally with magnolol (100 mg/kg body weight) once a day for 13 weeks. In magnolol-treated GK rats, fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin were significantly decreased, and the pancreatic islets also showed strong insulin antigen positivity. Urinary protein and creatinine clearance (Ccr) were significantly decreased. Pathological examination revealed the prevention of the glomeruli enlargement in magnolol-treated GK rats. The overproduction of renal sorbitol, advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), type IV collagen, and TGF-β1 mRNA were significantly reduced in magnolol-treated GK rats. Thus based on our findings, the use of magnolol could result in good blood glucose control and prevent or retard development of diabetic complications such as diabetic nephropathy.