Previous studies have reported that T. cordifolia may act by increasing hepatic glycogen synthase and decreasing glycogen phosphorylase activity.[32] Glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1, 6-bisphosphatase are the important regulatory enzymes in the gluconeogenic pathway. Glucose-6-phosphatase is one of
Table the key enzymes in the homeostatic regulation of blood glucose levels. It catalyzes the terminal step in both gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, converting glucose-6-phosphate to glucose. This enzyme is mainly found in the gluconeogenic tissues liver and kidneys, where it plays a major role in the glucose production.[33] Fructose 1,6-bis phosphatase catalyzes one of the irreversible steps in gluconeogenesis and serves as a site for the regulation of this process,[34] catalyzing the conversion of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to fructose 6-phosphate. Activities of these two enzymes are found to be increased in diabetes. It was reported that the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was increased 2-3 fold, and the activity of fructose1, 6-bisphosphatase in diabetes was increased 2-5 fold.[35] Activities of these two enzymes in the kidneys were increased in diabetic rats. Treatment with T. cordifolia found significantly decreases their levels in kidneys. This may be possible that T. cordifolia could decrease the blood glucose levels in treated animals.[36]