Effects of Brazilin Glucose Metabolism in Isolated Soleus Muscles from Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study was performed to evaluate the hypoglycemic mechanism of brazilin. Brazilin significantly reduced plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetie rats and this effect seems to be mediated by extrapancratic effects rather than by pacreatic effect because no significant changes were observed in plasma insulin levels. The rates of glycogen synthesis, glycolysis and glucose oxidation in soleus muscle were markedly increased following brazilin treatment to diabetic animals. Glucose transport seemed to be increased by the treatment of brazilin. Brazilin did not affect insulin binding to muscles from streptozotiocin induced diabetic rats. These results suggest that potentiation of periopheral glucose utilization may be one of the major causes of hypoglucemic action of brazilin.