Abstract
Experiments were carried out on the effects of various coumarins on the actions of
adrenaline, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and insulin in fat cells isolated from
rats. Furocoumarins such as oxypeucedanin hydrate, bergapten, xanthotoxin, imperatorin,
phellopterin activated adrenaline-induced lipolysis. Furocoumarins such as oxypeucedanin
hydrate, imperatorin and phellopterin also activated ACTH-induced lipolysis. On the
other hand, furocoumarins such as byak-angelicin, neobyakangelicol and isopimpinellin
strongly inhibited insulin-stimulated lipogenesis. Therefore, the crude drug “Byakushi”
may activate the actions of lipolytic hormones and selectively inhibit the effects
of anti-lipolytic hormones.
Key Word Index
Angelica dahurica - Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) - Coumarins - Adrenaline-induced lipolysis
- ACTH-induced lipolysis - Insulin-stimulated lipogenesis - Fat cells
