GLYCOGENIC EFFECT OF AN ALKALI-SOLUBLE FRACTION FROM SEPIA SHELL

The alkali soluble fraction of the sepia shell possesses both anticonv ulsant and hypoglycemic effect. The investigation regarding the fate o f the blood sugar during the hypoglycemia revealed that the sepia shel l extract acts as a glycogenic agent by mobilising the blood sugar tow ards liver glycogen reserve through the modulation of the enzymes glyc ogen phosphorylase a and ab in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice . The glucose tolerance test (GTT) showed a depression in the GTT curv e in experimental mice. The available literature on the biochemistry o f the shell reveals that it contains glucosamines and some amino acid residues. The presence of amine group may resemble the sulfonylureas l ike tolbutamide which also possesses both anticonvulsant and hypoglyce mic effect.