Since the finding of insulinomimetic effect of zinc(II) ions, several insulinomimetic zinc(II) complexes have been proposed. Previous studies reported an extremely high inulinomimetic activities of zinc(II) complex with maltol ligand in in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Then we estimated insulinomimetic activities of zinc(II) complexes using several types of maltol ligand. In vitro insulinomimetic activity of zinc(II) complexes was estimated by inhibitory effect on free fatty acid (FFA)-release from the isolated rat adipocytes treated with epinephrine (adrenaline). Insulinomimetic activity of zinc(II) complex with allixin, [Zn(alx)2]. was higher than those of ZnSO4 and other complexes. Moreover, Zn(alx)2 complex reduced the high blood glucose levels of type 2 diabetic KK-Ay mice. Based on these results, Zn(alx)2 complex is proposed to be a potent therapeutic agent to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.
