Effects of Brazilin on Glucose Metabolism in Primary Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

In order to investigate the cellular mechanisms of hypoglycemic of brazilin, hepatocyte monolayer culture was introduced and, glycogen synthesis rate and insulin binding were measured as parameters. Glycogen synthesis and insulin sensitivity were remarkably augmented by the treatment of brazilin. Brazilin slightely increased insulin binding. Scatchard analysis revealed that this increase in insulin binding was not due to increase in the binding capacity but in binding affinity. These results suggest that the augmentation of hepatic glycogenesis and insulin sensitivity by brazilin may play an important role in the improvement of hyperglycemia.