Effect of ginsenoside-Rb2 on nitrogen compounds in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Abstract

The effects of ginsenoside-Rb2 on nitrogen compounds in streptozotocin-diabetic rats were investigated. A marked decrease in blood urea nitrogen level was observed in the ginsenoside-Rb2 administered group. Administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 induced increases of total protein and Lys, Gly, Glu, Arg, etc. in serum, while no significant change of serum albumin was observed. In the liver, the urea content was decreased with a concomitant increase of ribonucleic acid content. A quantitative study on the distribution of free and membrane-bound ribosomes indicated that the increase in ribosomes caused by the Administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 is mainly due to the increase in membrane-bound ribosomes. Ginsenoside-Rb2 exhibited a normalizing action on the hepatic concentrations of Glu, Thy, Phe, and Tyr. Furthermore, body weight significantly increased in diabetic rats receiving ginsenoside-Rb2, even though they took less food than the control group. Ginsenoside-Rb2 remarkably improved diabetic symptoms such as over-eating, polyuria, etc.