The difference in hypoglycemic action between polygonati rhizoma and polygonati officinalis rhizoma.

The hypoglycemic effect of the rhizomes of Polygonatum sibricum and Polygonatum officinale (Liliaceae) was investigated in KK-Ay mice, one of the animal models of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The methanol extract of the rhizomes of both Polygonatum sibricum (OM) and Polygonatum officinale (IM) (800 mg/kg) reduced the blood glucose levels in KK-Ay mice 4h after intraperitoneal administration. In terms of hypoglycemic effect, the blood glucose of 1M was lower than that of OM. IM-treated mice significantly decreased the blood glucose level in an insulin tolerance test, but OM-treated mice did not change. We estimated that the hypoglycemic effect of IM raised insulin sensitivity.