A constituent of Pterocarpus marsupium, (-)-epicatechin, as a potential antidiabetic agent.

An active constituent of Pterocarpus marsupium, (-)-epicatechin (1), has been reported to reverse hyperglycemia in alloxan diabetic rats when given before or within 24 hr after the dose of alloxan. However, when doses of (-)-epicatechin (30 mg/kg, i.p., twice daily for 3 days) are begun 92 hr after alloxan, there is no significant difference in blood glucose levels between control and (-)-epicatechin treated rats. These data suggest that, although (-)-epicatechin may protect against alloxan toxicity under certain conditions, the usefulness of (-)-epicatechin appears minimal in the treatment of already established diabetic states.