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Planta Med 2004; 70(2): 113-116
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815486
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Mediation of β-Endorphin by the Isoflavone Puerarin to Lower Plasma Glucose in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Wang-Chuan Chen1 , Satoshi Hayakawa1 , Tatsuo Yamamoto1 , Hui-Chen Su2 , I-Min Liu2 , 3 , Juei-Tang Cheng2
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Tokyo City, Japan
  • 2Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan, R.O.C.
  • 3Department of Pharmacy, Tajen Institute of Technology, Yen-Pou, Ping Tung Shien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
The present study is supported in part by a grant from National Science Council of the Republic of China (NSC90-2314-B006-012)
Further Information

Publication History

Received: July 16, 2003

Accepted: November 9, 2003

Publication Date:
02 March 2004 (online)

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Abstract

We investigate the mechanism(s) of plasma glucose lowering action of puerarin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats). Puerarin at the effective dosage to lower higher plasma glucose increased plasma β-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (BER) in STZ-diabetic rats. Both effects of puerarin were abolished by the pretreatment with prazosin. Also, puerarin enhanced BER release from isolated rat adrenal medulla in a concentration-dependent manner that can be abolished by prazosin. Moreover, bilateral adrenalectomy in STZ-diabetic rats eliminated the actions of puerarin including the plasma glucose lowering effect and plasma BER elevating effect. In addition, naloxone and naloxonazine inhibited the plasma glucose lowering action of puerarin. Unlike in wild-type diabetic mice, puerarin failed to lower the plasma glucose in opioid μ-receptor knockout diabetic mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that puerarin may activate α1-adrenoceptors on the adrenal gland to enhance the secretion of β-endorphin to result in a decrease of plasma glucose in STZ-diabetic rats.

Key words

Puerarin - streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats - β-endorphin - α1-adrenoceptors - opioid μ-receptors

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Professor Juei-Tang Cheng

Department of Pharmacology

College of Medicine

National Cheng Kung University

Tainan City

Taiwan 70101

R.O.C.

Fax: +886-6-238-6548

Email: jtcheng@mail.ncku.edu.tw