Abstract: Objective To explore the hypoglycemic effect of Gardenia yellow monomers on diabetic mice induced by alloxan monohydrate. Methods The effect of gardenia yellow monomers (crocin Ⅰ, crocin Ⅲ, crocetin) on blood sugar in diabetic mice with starch loading and sucrose loading was determined. Diabetic mice were prepared by intravenous injection of alloxan monohydrate. Results In comparing with model group, the blood sugar were significantly decreased in 100 mg/kg crocin Ⅰ, 100 mg/kg crocetin , 50 mg/kg crocin Ⅲ groups mice with starch loading. The blood sugar were significantly decreased in 100 mg/kg crocin Ⅰ, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg crocetin , 100 mg/kg crocin Ⅲ groups mice with sucrose loading than the model mice. Conclusion Gardenia yellow monomers crocin Ⅰ, crocin and crocin Ⅲ all have hypoglycemic effect on starch loading and sucrose loading diabetic mice.

Key words: Gardenia yellow, Crocin Ⅰ, Crocetin, Crocin Ⅲ, Hypoglycemic effect