(?)-Myrtenal ((1R)-(?)-Myrtenal) is an orally active terpene with antitumour activity. (?)-Myrtenal ameliorates hyperglycemia by enhancing GLUT2 through Akt in the skeletal muscle and liver of diabetic rats[2].In Vitro: (?)-Myrtenal ((1R)-(?)-Myrtenal; 0.1-5 mM; for 24 h) exerts strong cytotoxic effect (IC50 = 5.3 mM) on human colon tumour (HT29) and human normal colon epithelial cells (CCD 841 CoTr).
In Vivo: (?)-Myrtenal ((1R)-(?)-Myrtenal; orally; 80 mg/kg/day for 28 days) reveals decreased the levels of plasma glucose, improved the plasma insulin levels, up-regulation of IRS2, Akt and GLUT2 in liver and IRS2, Akt and GLUT4 protein expression in skeletal muscle in diabetic rats induced by single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg bw)[2].