ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore effects of polysaccharides from Scrophulariae Radix (PFR) on glucolipid metabolism and hepatic insulin signaling pathway in type 2 diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetic rat models were constructed by STZ injection, and randomly divided into five groups: model group, low, medium and high dose groups (80, 160, 320 mg/kg) of PFR, and positive drug group of metformin (200 mg/kg); In addition, ordinary feed rats of the same age were set as normal group; Body weight and survival status, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood lipid (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C), liver function (ALT, AST), renal function (CREA, BUN), glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb), insulin secretion (FINS), C-peptide, SOD, MDA, CAT, GSH-Px, and other indicators were detected after drug delivery for six weeks; HE staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate the pathological changes and steatosis of liver in rats; Western blotting was used to detect the changes of hepatic insulin signaling pathway related protein. Results: PFR increased the weight of diabetic rats, improved the metabolic function, reducde the content of FBG, GHb, ALT, AST, CREA, BUN, TC, TG, LDL-C, MDA and increased the content of HDL-C, FINS, C-peptide, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px; Western blotting assay showed that PFR could activate IRS-2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and increase the protein levels of PPAR-γ and GLUT-4. Conclusion: PFR could improve glucolipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats by regulating the hepatic insulin signaling pathway.