Inhibitory Effect of Baicalin on Disaccharidase in Small Intestine

AimThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of baicalin (BA) on disaccharidase activities and explore the hypoglycemic mechanism of BA.MethodBrush border membrane from small intestine of rats was prepared. The membrane was incubated with different concentrations of BA. Sucrase and maltase activities were measured. Postprandial blood glucose testing of normal mice by sucrose-loading was investigated. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with 100 and 200 mg·kg−1 of BA twice daily for four weeks. Both age-matched normal control rats and diabetic rats only received 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (CMC-Na) aqueous solution. The plasma glucose level and body weight were monitored every week. At the end of treatment, the disaccharidase activities in small intestine were measured.ResultsIn vitro, BA may significantly inhibit sucrase activity in a dose-dependent manner, but not affect maltase activity. Sucrose-loading test in mice showed the blood reduction with BA was slightly less than that with acarbose, but more effective than that with vehicle. Four-week treatment of BA may significantly decrease blood glucose levels, increase body weight and reverse increase of sucrase activity in small intestine of diabetic rats.ConclusionBaicalin shows its anti-diabetic effect partly via inhibiting small intestine disaccharidases.