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) enhances insulin-independent glucose absorption in 3T3-L1 adipocytes concentration-dependently, without impacting cell health. Similarly, incubation (1 μM-1 mM, 5 h) boosts glucose intake in L6 myotubes without affecting viability[1]. Galegine hydrochloride (0.3-300 μM; 24 hours) slightly decreases basal glycerol release and significantly reduces isoprenaline-induced glycerol release in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In H4IIE rat hepatoma cells, Galegine hydrochloride (10 or 300 μM) up to 6 hours progressively activates AMPK, reaching peak activation at 360 min and maintaining twofold activation at 24 hours with 300 μM, showing a stronger effect at 300 μM than at 10 μM. A one-hour incubation triggers concentration-dependent AMPK activation in both 3T3L-1 adipocytes and L-6 myotubes, as well as in a human kidney cell line (HEK293)[1].

Galegine hydrochloride (63 mg/kg; feed; daily for 11 days) significantly reduces body weight[1].