Hypoglycemic effect and antioxidant potential of kaempferol-3,7-O-(alpha)-dirhamnoside from Bauhinia forficata leaves.

In vivo and in vitro treatments were carried out to investigate the effects of kaempferol-3,7-O-(alpha)-dirhamnoside (kaempferitrin), a major flavonoid compound of the n-butanol fraction from Bauhiniaforficata leaves, on serum glucose levels, as well as its antioxidant potential. Oral administration of kaempferitrin led to a significant hypoglycemic effect in normal and in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In normal rats, blood glucose lowering was observed only with the higher dose of kaempferitrin (200 mg/kg) at 1 h after treatment. However, the hypoglycemic effect of kaempferitrin in diabetic rats was evident at all doses tested (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), and this profile was maintained throughout the period studied for both higher doses. Additionally, in glucose-fed hyperglycemic normal rats, the kaempferitrin failed to decrease blood glucose levels. In vitro antioxidant properties or action against reactive oxygen species of this compound was also evaluated. The compound showed high reactivity with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), IC(50) of 84.0 +/- 7.8 microM, inhibited myeloperoxidase activity with K(0.5) = 86 +/- 9.9 microM, and decreased lipid peroxidation, induced by ascorbyl radical either in microsomes or in asolectin and phosphatidylcholine liposomes, with IC(50)'s of 320 +/- 14.1, 223 +/- 8.3, and 112 +/- 8.8 microM, respectively.