Assessment of the hypoglycemic activity of trans-cinnamic acid isolated from the extract of hairy rots Scutellaria baicalensis in in vivo experiments

Abstract

Hypoglycemia is the process of reducing blood glucose concentration to below 2.5-2.8 mmol/L in men and less than 1.9-2.2 mmol/L in women. Prolonged hyperglycemia can lead to a range of serious chronic complications such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular diseases in diabetes, and so forth, threatening human life, health, and safety. Scutellaria baicalensis is one of the most commonly used remedies in traditional Chinese medicine. This plant contains a number of biologically active compounds that contribute to improving kidney function, insulin resistance, and retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes, but few researchers study the toxic effects of medicinal plant components. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of trans-cinnamic acid isolated from the extract of hairy rots of Scutellaria baicalensis in in vivo experiments. This study involved intraperitoneal administration of alloxan at a dose of 150.0 mg/kg and oral administration of trans-cinnamic acid at doses of 50.0 and 100.0 mg/kg. During the experiment, it was found that trans-cinnamic acid at the presented doses does not affect the body weight dynamics of experimental animals with diabetes. Thus, this study demonstrates that trans-cinnamic acid at the presented dosage can be safely used as an ingredient in the creation of dietary supplements for the prevention of diabetes, thereby contributing to healthy aging.