Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide in Diabetic Rats / 中草药·英文版

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the antidiabetic effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) and its DEAE cellulose elution fraction LBP-IV in diabetic rats induced by high fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). Methods: After ig administration of LBP-IV [50, 100, and 200 mg/(kg·d)] and LBP [100 mg/(kg·d)] once daily for consecutive 4 weeks to diabetic rats, the glucose and lipids in blood, mRNA expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), sterol regulatory element binding-protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in liver were determined. Results: Ig administration of LBP and LBP-IV significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, HbA1c, TC, TG, and LDL-C, as well as the hepatic mRNA expression of PEPCK, SREBP-1c, and FAS, whereas significantly increased the oral glucose tolerance of diabetic rats. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the antidiabetic effects of LBP and LBP-IV are associated with the decreased hepatic mRNA expression of PEPCK, SREBP-1c, and FAS in HFD-STZ induced diabetic rats.