Abstract
The inhibitory effects of ukogi (Acanthopanax sieboldianus) leaves on postprandial blood glucose elevation were investigated using sugar tolerance tests in rats. Ukogi leaves significantly suppressed the increase in blood glucose level after oral administration of maltose or glucose (p<0.05). As an in vitro study had shown that ukogi leaves inhibited maltase activity, we then investigated which components in a methanol extract of ukogi leaves were effective. Water eluants and 1% NH3/MeOH eluants markedly inhibited the maltase activity. These results suggest that ukogi leaves suppress postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting maltase activity and glucose absorption, and that the inhibition of maltase activity might be due to the polyphenol components in ukogi leaves.
