abstract |
An extract having a high blood glucose level lowering action is obtained from bitter gourd, which is a natural plant. Moreover, the hypoglycemic agent containing it is provided. Also provided are food and pharmaceutical compositions containing this extract. Three kinds of novel cucurbitan type terpenoids (1-3) and eight kinds of known compounds (4-11) were isolated by bioactivity index fractionation of methanol extract of dried bitter gourd. For the main components 5,19 epoxy-3,25 dihydroxycucurbita-6,23-diene (4) and 3,7,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,23-diene-19-al (5), In a male ddY mouse, a remarkable blood glucose level lowering activity was observed at 400 mg / kg. [Selection figure] None |