Lithospermoside

Lithospermoside (Griffonin) is an orally active Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibitor and hypoglycemic agent. Lithospermoside increases intracellular sodium levels in normal and sickle red blood cells. Lithospermoside reduces fasting blood glucose levels, improves glucose tolerance, and prevents weight loss in diabetic mice. Lithospermoside can be used in the research of sickle cell disease and diabetes^[1][2]. In Vitro:Lithospermoside (0.5-1.0 mmol/l; 8 h) at 1.0 mmol/l significantly increases intracellular sodium content in erythrocytes from normal human subjects (P < 0.05), while 0.5 mmol/l has little effect over an 8-hour incubation^[1].
Lithospermoside (0.5-1.0 mmol/l; 8 h) at 0.5 mmol/l and 1.0 mmol/l significantly increases intracellular sodium content in erythrocytes from human sickle cell patients (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001), with a larger effect observed at 1.0 mmol/l and a greater response in sickle cell erythrocytes compared to normal erythrocytes^[1]. In Vivo:Lithospermoside (1-20 mg/kg; p.o.; daily; 14 days) exhibits potent hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice^[2].