title: Anti-Diabetic Effect of Pectinase-Processed Ginseng Radix (GINST) in High Fat Diet-Fed ICR Mice.
abstract: In the present study, we investigate anti-diabetic effect of pectinase-processed ginseng radix (GINST) in high fat diet-fed ICR mice. The ICR mice were divided into three groups: regular diet group, high fat diet control group (HFD), and GINST-treated group. To induce hyperglycemia, mice were fed a high fat diet for 10 weeks, and mice were administered with 300 mg/ kg of GINST once a day for 5 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test revealed that GINST improved glucose tolerance after glucose challenge. Compared to the HFD control group, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were decreased by 57.8% (p<0.05) and 30.9% (p<0.01) in GINST-treated group, respectively. With decreased plasma glucose and insulin levels, the insulin resistance index of the GINST-treated group was reduced by 68.1% (p<0.01) compared to the HFD control group. Pancreas of GINST-treated mice preserved a morphological integrity of islets and consequently having more insulin contents. In addition, GINST up-regulated the levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its target molecule, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expression in the skeletal muscle. Our results suggest that GINST ameliorates a hyperglycemia through activation of AMPK/ GLUT4 signaling pathway, and has a therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Hai Dan
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Hai Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Mi Song
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Su Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Do Yeon
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chung
keywords: AMP-activated protein kinase; Glucose transporter type 4; High fat diet; Panax ginseng; Pectinase-processed ginseng radix