Antidiabetic effect of glucosaminic acid-cobalt (II) chelate in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the in vivo ability of glucosaminic acid-cobalt (II) chelate to reduce glycemia. METHODS: Different concentrations of chelate solution were administrated to mice with diabetes induced by streptozotocin. RESULTS: Daily oral administration of chelate solution 0.4 mL at various concentrations (0.32–0.4 g/mL) led to reduction in water intake by the diabetic mice after 5 days of treatment, with a subsequent reduction in glucose levels observed 2 weeks later. Daily food intake was related to both chelate concentration as well as glycemia reduction. The food intake of mice treated with glucosaminic acid-cobalt (II) chelate solution was 1.5-fold that of untreated mice. CONCLUSION: Glucosaminic acid-cobalt chelate was effective as an antidiabetes agent; its efficacy was proportional to treatment period .The chelated form expressed much less toxicity compared to cobalt only, and stimulated subsequent food intake after daily administration.