Possible mechanism of hypoglycemic effect of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, a constituent of Pandanus odorus root.

We studied the hypoglycemic effect of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, a constituent of the root of Pandanus odorus Ridl. (Pandanaceae, Thai name: Toei-hom), in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Oral administration of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid caused a decrease in plasma glucose levels dose-dependently in the diabetic rat. The constituent did not affect serum insulin level and liver glycogen content in the diabetic model, but increased glucose consumption in normal and diabetic rat diaphragms. These results suggest that 4-hydroxybenzoic acid produces a hypoglycemic effect mediated by an increase in the peripheral glucose consumption.