A Chinese herb (CH), which had high IPA, was selected
to feed mice. Forty-two male weanling mice were randomly
grouped in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Groups were: -Cr+CH,
-Cr-CH, +Cr+CH, +Cr-CH. CH was extracted with 0.1 N NH^OH
(1:20). Each mouse was given an oral dose of CH or water by
micropipette. After 6 weeks, neither CH nor Cr affected body
weight gain. Chromium supplementation decreased liver weight
(P < 0.02) and CH decreased spleen weight (P < 0.02). Serum
glucose was not altered by treatment. Serum cholesterol
concentrations were significantly decreased (P < 0.02) with
CH supplementation. These data demonstrated that the Chinese
herb, CH, had significant insulin-potentiating activity in
vitro and reduced serum cholesterol in mice.