Abstract
Aim: To search the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists
from Swietenia mahagony extract (SmE) and observe the possible ameliorative
effects of SmE on diabetic db/db mice. Methods: The PPARγ 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 PPARγ
agonistic activity of SmE at a concentration of 50 μg/L was approximately half that
of 35.7 μg/L (0.1 μmol/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
PPARγ and can ameliorate the blood glucose levels of diabetic db/db mice. SmE
may be thus used as a potential agent for diabetes therapy.