RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of angrographolide on plasma glucose level of diabetic rats and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: The diabetic model rats were established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated with angrographolide for 2 weeks, then the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum were examined and the expressions of Bcl-2 and Box gene of pancreatic cells were detected. RESULTS: Compared with model rats, the plasma glucose levels and the serum MDA contents of the angrographolide-treated rats decreased, serum insulin and activity of SOD increased significatantly (P < 0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 was lower in the model group, while the expression was stronger in the treatment group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Angrographolide can inhibit the apoptosis of islet cells and depress plasma glucose level of diabetic rat model. Its mechanism may be associated with the upregulation of the expression of Bcl-2, the increase of the activity of SOD, the decrease of the production of free radicals and lipid eroxidadion.
