Aim: To search the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor g (PPAR(gamma)) agonists from Swietenia mahagony extract (SmE) and observe the possible ameliorative effects of SmE on diabetic db/db mice.
Methods: The PPAR(gamma) agonistic activity of SmE was screened by yeast-two hybrid system. The blood glucose levels of diabetic db/db mice were measured using a blood glucose level monitor and the data were statistically analyzed by NDST8.8W software.
Results: By using the clinical drug rosiglitazone as a positive control, it was found that the PPARg agonistic activity of SmE at a concentration of 50 microg/L was approximately half that of 35.7 microg/L (0.1 micromol/L) of rosiglitazone. At the dose of 1000 mg/kg, SmE remarkably decreased the blood glucose concentration of db/db mice from (15.26+/-2.98) to (7.58+/-2.20) mmol/L, and reduced the blood glucose levels by 55.49% compared with the control group (P<0.01).
Conclusion: SmE shows agonistic activity to PPARg and can ameliorate the blood glucose levels of diabetic db/db mice. SmE may be thus used as a potential agent for diabetes therapy.