Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Orostachys japonicus with Medicinal Herbs in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

• Published in: Han'guk Sikp'um Yŏngyang Kwahakhoe chi Vol. 42; no. 4
• Main Authors: Lee, S.J., Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea, Shin, J.H., 2Namhae Garlic Research Institute, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea, Ju, J.C., Changshin College, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea, Kang, S.K., International University of Korea, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea, Sung, N.J., International University of Korea, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 01.04.2013
• Subjects: DRUG PLANTS; Orostachys japonicus, medicinal herbs, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic effect; PLANTAS MEDICINALES; PLANTE MEDICINALE
• ISSN: 1226-3311

The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects from Wa-song (Orostachys japonicus) extracts with mixtures of medicinal herbs (such as Baekbokyung, Changchul and Sa-in) were evaluated in the streptozotocin (STZ)- induced diabetic rats. Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five groups; normal, diabetic control (D-control), a group fed a medicinal herbs mixture (D-MH), and a group fed composites of O. japonicus with mixtures of medicinal herbs (1:1, D-MHOA and 3:1, D-MHOB). All were fed on their diet for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, the body weight of all experimental groups increased compared to the diabetic control group, with the D-MHOB group having a significantly higher increase. Fasting glucose levels in all experimental groups (compared to the D-control group) significantly decreased after 2 weeks, but between 2∼3 weeks, the levels in the D-MH group were similar to the D-MHOA group. After 4 weeks, the fasting glucose level of the D-MHOB group was the lowest compared to the other groups. In a test of oral glucose tolerance, blood glucose levels were highest 60 minutes after feeding glucose; however this level improved significantly in the groups fed an experimental diet compared to the D-control group. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were 1.9 times higher in the D-control group than the normal (3.9%), but levels in the experimental groups were significantly decreased in D-MHOA and D-MHOB groups compared to the D-MH group. In the high amounts of O. japonicus to medicinal herbs mixture, total lipids and cholesterol significantly decreased in the serum, while HDL-C levels increased. GPT activity was significantly lower in the D-MHOB group compared to the other groups. Lipid peroxide levels decreased in the D-MHOA and D-MHOB groups compared to the D-MH group. Antioxidant activity was higher depending on the dose of O. japonicus. Overall, O. japonicus exhibited effective hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic actions enhanced by a combination of medicinal herbs.