Abstract

Cordyceps sinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, possesses anti-tumor, immunostimulant and antioxidant activities; however, the identities of active components have not been determined. In our previous study using antioxidant activity-guided fractionation [Li et al., 2003. A polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, protects PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury. Life Sci. 73, 2503-2513], a polysaccharide of molecular weight approximately 210kDa was isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia by ion-exchange and sizing chromatography. The isolated polysaccharide, named CSP-1, which has strong anti-oxidation activity, contains glucose, mannose and galactose in the ratio of 1:0.6:0.75. In the present study, we demonstrated the hypoglycemic effect of CSP-1 on normal and alloxan-diabetic mice and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. The basal glucose level did not differ significantly among the normal mice. CSP-1 (at 200 and 400mg/kg body wt./day for 7 days, p.o.), however, significantly reduced the blood glucose level by 12.0+/-3.2% and 22.5+/-4.7% in normal mice, respectively (p<0.05). When administered at a dose of higher than 200mg/kg body wt. daily for 7 days, CSP-1 produced a significant drop in blood glucose level in both STZ-induced diabetic rats and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The serum insulin levels in diabetic animals were also increased by administration of CSP-1 (p<0.05). CSP-1 with hypoglycemic properties increased circulating insulin level in diabetic animals, which suggests that CSP-1 may stimulate pancreatic release of insulin and/or reduce insulin metabolism.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Li SP, Zhang GH, Zeng Q, Huang ZG, Wang YT, Dong TT, Tsim KW

Institution

Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, China. spli@umac.mo

Source

Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology 13:6 2006 Jun pg 428-33

MeSH

Administration, Oral
Alloxan
Animals
Antioxidants
Cordyceps
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental
Glucose
Hypoglycemic Agents
Insulin
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Phytotherapy
Polysaccharides
Rats
Streptozocin

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16716913