Coriandrum sativum - mechanism of hypoglycemic action

The effect of coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum) on carbohydrate metaboli sm was studied in rats fed a high fat cholesterol diet. The spice showed si gnificant hypoglycemic action. There was an:increase in the concentration o f hepatic glycogen as was evident from the increased activity of glycogen s ynthase. Activity of glycogen phosphorylase, and gluconeogenic enzymes, rev ealed decreased rates of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The increased activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycolytic enzymes: sug gest the utilization of glucose by the pentose phosphate pathway and glycol ysis. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.