HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF TO-KAI-SAN (CHINESE MEDICINES) IN NORMAL ANDKK-AY MICE

The hypoglycemic effect of To-Kai-San (TS) was studied in normal mice, streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, one of the animal models of ins ulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with hypoinsulinemia, and KK-A y mice, one of the animal models of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mel litus (NIDDM) with hyperinsulinemia. TS (1,500 mg/kg) reduced the bloo d glucose of the KK-Ay mice from 441+/-36 to 285+/-52mg/100 ml 7h afte r a single oral administration (p<0.001). However, no changes in blood glucose were observed in the normal and STZ-induced diabetic mice. TS also decreased the blood glucose 20 days after repeated administratio n to normal and KK-Ay mice. In addition, TS-treated KK-Ay mice showed decreased plasma insulin levels after both single and repeated adminis tration. From these findings, it is believed that TS may require the p resence of insulin to display its activity.