title: Preventive effects ofMorus alba L.anthocyanins on diabetes in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.
abstract: The mulberry plant (Morus alba L.) contains abundant anthocyanins (ANCs), which are natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the ANC composition of ThaiMorus albaL. fruits and to assess the effect of an ANC extract on blood glucose and insulin levels in male leptin receptor-deficient Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. The major components of the ANC extract were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. ZDF and lean rats were treated with 125 or 250 mg ANCs/kg body weight, or 1% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) twice daily for 5 weeks. Neither ANC dose had an effect on body weight. Following 5 weeks of treatment, glucose levels were observed to increase from 105.5±8.7 to 396.25±21 mg/dl (P<0.0001) in the CMC-treated ZDF rats; however, the glucose levels were significantly lower in the rats treated with 125 or 250 mg/kg ANCs (228.25±45 and 131.75±10 mg/dl, respectively; P<0.001 versus CMC). The administration of 250 mg/kg ANCs normalized glucose levels in the ZDF rats towards those of the lean littermates. Insulin levels were decreased significantly in the ZDF rats treated with CMC or 125 mg/kg ANCs (P<0.0001), but not in the rats treated with 250 mg/kg ANCs. Histologically, 250 mg/kg ANCs was observed to prevent islet degeneration compared with the islets in CMC-treated rats. This study, demonstrated that ANCs extracted fromMorus alba L.were well tolerated and exhibited effective anti-diabetic properties in ZDF rats. ANCs represent a promising class of therapeutic compounds that may be useful in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: School of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
authors.forename: Ariya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarikaphuti
authors.forename: Thamthiwat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nararatwanchai
authors.forename: Teruto
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hashiguchi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Sita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thaworanunta
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oyama
authors.forename: Ikuro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Salunya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tancharoen
keywords: Morus alba L; anthocyanins; disease prevention; type 2 diabetes