Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic activity of polysaccharides isolated from mulberry
(MBPs) on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats and their antioxidant activity in vitro. Their scavenging activities for
hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals in vitro were determined. The results showed that the EC50 values of MBPs for
hydroxyl and superoxide anion radical scavenging were 0.17 and 0.54 mg/mL, respectively. MBPs had a significant
improvement on blood glucose levels, serum lipid parameters (triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteincholesterol
(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)), lipid peroxidation (malondiadehyde content) and serum
antioxidant status (glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)) in
diabetic rats. This study may provide experimental evidence for the development of antihyperglycemic agent from mulberry
polysaccharides.

Key words: mulberry polysaccharides, diabetes, glucose metabolism, antioxidant activity