Hydroxybrazilin was examined for its effects on glycogen synthesis in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. At 10-6 M hydroxybrazilin, glycogen synthesis was increased in basal state, but not in insulin stimulated state. However, any signiFicant changes were nor observed at 10-5 M hydroxybrazilin in both states. The glycogen synthesis was rather suppressed at 10-5M hydroxybrazilin. It was also observed that hydroxybrazilin increased insulin sensitivity but not insulin responsiveness at 10-5M concentration. These results suggest that hydroxybrazilin might exert hypoglycemic action through its effects on insulin receptor and post receptor events.