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The potential of apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) in regulating hyperglycaemia, thyroid dysfunction and lipid peroxidation (LPO) has been revealed. While in alloxan-treated diabetic animals, a significant decrease in the concentrations of serum insulin, thyroxine (T(4)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)), with a parallel increase in serum glucose and hepatic glucose-6-phospatase (G-6-Pase) activity, was observed, administration of 0.78 mg kg(-1) of apigenin for 10 consecutive days increased the levels of serum insulin and thyroid hormones with a parallel decrease in glucose concentration and hepatic G-6-Pase activity. Alloxan-induced elevation in serum cholesterol was also reduced by the compound. With respect to LPO, while in alloxan-treated animals an increase in hepatic LPO and a decrease in the activity of cellular antioxidants, such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and in glutathione (GSH) content was observed, administration of apigenin to alloxan-treated mice reversed all these changes, suggesting its hepatoprotective potential. Similar effects of apigenin were also observed in most of the parameters in normoglycaemic animals. It appears that apigenin has a potential to regulate diabetes mellitus, as well as disease-induced thyroid dysfunction and lipid peroxidation.

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Scopoletin (7-hydroxy-6-methoxy coumarin) was isolated from the leaves of Aegle marmelos and evaluated for its potential to regulate hyperthyroidism, lipid peroxidation and hyperglycemia in levo-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroid rats. Scopoletin (1.00 mg/kg, p.o.) administered daily for 7 days to levo-thyroxine-treated animals decreased the levels of serum thyroid hormones and glucose as well as hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity, demonstrating its potential to regulate hyperthyroidism and hyperglycemia. Scopoletin also inhibited hepatic lipid peroxidation and increased the activity of antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Compared with the standard antithyroid drug, propylthiouracil, scopoletin exhibited a superior therapeutic activity, since unlike propylthiouracil, it also inhibited hepatic lipid peroxidation. These findings indicate that scopoletin has the potential to inhibit thyroid function and hyperglycemia without hepatotoxicity.

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