Phytomedicine. 2001 Mar; 8(2): 85-7.

Antidiabetic activity of a xanthone compound, mangiferin.

Miura T, Ichiki H, Hashimoto I, Iwamoto N, Kato M, Kubo M, Ishihara E, Komatsu Y, Okada M, Ishida T, Tanigawa K.

Suzuka University of Medical Science, Mie, Japan.

Mangiferin (MF) isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge rhizome, was tested for antidiabetic activity in KK-Ay mice, an animal model of type-2 diabetes. MF lowered the blood glucose level of KK-Ay mice 3 weeks after oral administration (p < 0.01). However, no effect on the blood glucose level in normal mice was seen, indicating that MF could be useful in treating type-2 diabetes. In addition, MF improved hyperinsulinemia and, on insulin tolerance test, reduced blood glucose levels of KK-Ay mice. From these findings, it seems likely that MF exerts its antidiabetic activity by decreasing insulin resistance.