Galegine hydrochloride, a guanidine derivative derived from G. officinalis, plays a role in inducing weight loss in mice and has contributed to the development of biguanides, including metformin and phenformin. This compound stimulates AMPK activation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, L6 myotubes, H4IIE rat hepatoma, and HEK293 human kidney cell lines. Additionally, galegine hydrochloride exhibits antibacterial properties, particularly demonstrating a minimum inhibitory concentration of 4 mg/L against Staphylococcus aureus strains[1][2].

Pre-treatment with Galegine hydrochloride (10 μM-3 mM; 5 h) produces a concentration-dependent stimulation of insulin-independent glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes without any effect on cell viability. Incubation with Galegine hydrochloride (1 μM-1 mM, 5 h) produces a concentration-dependent stimulation of glucose uptake into L6 myotubes, again without any effect on cell viability[1]. Galegine hydrochloride (0.3-300 μM; 24 hours) produced a slight reduction in basal glycerol release and a more marked reduction in isoprenaline-stimulated glycerol release from 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Incubation of H4IIE rat hepatoma cells with Galegine hydrochloride (10 or 300 μM) for up to 6 hours produces a time-dependent activation of AMPK measured in cell lysates, with maximal activation at 360 min and twofold activation still evident at 24 hous in the presence of 300 μM Galegine hydrochloride. The effect of 300 μM Galegine hydrochloride is markedly greater than that of 10 μM. Incubation with Galegine hydrochloride for 1 hour produces a concentration-dependent activation of AMPK in both 3T3L-1 adipocytes and L-6 myotubes. Galegine hydrochloride also produces a concentration-dependent activation of the enzyme in a human kidney cell line (HEK293)[1].

Galegine hydrochloride (63 mg/kg; feed; daily for 11 days) produces a significant reduction in body weight[1].