Abstract: The effect of aqueous extract of Coelomactra antiquata (AECA) on levels of blood glucose and glycogen, and the activities of glycometabolism enzymes including 6-phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glycogen synthesis and glycogen phosphorylase was evaluated using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus mice model. The hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of AECA on diabetic mice was investigated. The results revealed that ACEA decreased blood glucose level and increased the tolerance to glucose of normal mice. The levels of blood glucose and blood urea were decreased, and the level of serum proteins were increased in diabetic mice treated with ACEA as compared with normal diabetic mice. ACEA treatment restored the enzyme activities and glycogen levels to the near normal range of diabetic mice, in which 150 mg/kg of body weight group showed the best effect. Based on the experimental results, it was deduced that AECA can maintain the glucose homeostasis by controlling the carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes.

Key words: Coelomactra antiquata, hypoglycemia, streptozotocin-diabetes, enzyme