Antihyperglycaemic effect of an unusual amino acid (4-hydroxyisoleucine) in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice

Abstract

The present report confirms the anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-dyslipidemic properties of 4-hydroxyisoleucine, an unusual amino acid isolated from Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds, for the first time in a well-characterised model of type II diabetes, i.e. db/db mice. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine, when given orally to these mice at 50 mg kg⁻¹ dose level, significantly (p < 0.05) declined their elevated blood glucose, plasma insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and raised their declined plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level. These results indicate that 4-hydroxyisoleucine exhibits significant potential as an anti-diabetic agent by suppressing progression of type II diabetic states that is suggested by enhancement of insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in peripheral tissue.

Keywords:

• diabetes mellitus
• Trigonella foenum-graecum
• 4-hydroxyisoleucine
• C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Director, CDRI, Lucknow (India) for his keen interest in this study. We also thank the staff of the Botany Division of CDRI for collection and identification of the T. foenum-graecum seeds. A.B. Singh is thankful to CSIR, New Delhi (India) for the financial support in the form of a Senior Research Fellowship.