Abstract:

Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups with 8 mice in each group, including negative and
positive control groups and three Pu-erh tea groups with high (1.35 g/(kg·d)), medium (0.90 g/(kg·d)), and low (0.45 g/(kg·d))
dosages. The body weights of the mice were measured once a day. Furthermore, the levels of glucose and insulin and the
activity of α-glucosidase in the serum were determined when each group was fasted for 24 h after continuous administration
for 30 days so as to evaluate the effect of Pu-erh tea on blood glucose. The results showed that Pu-erh tea was significantly
effective to reduce body weight, fat index, blood glucose, insulin and α-glucosidase activity. When compared with the
positive control group, serum glucose concentrations in the mice from low-, middle- and high-dosage Pu-erh tea groups were
reduced by 16.86%, 29.64%, and 49.58%, respectively, insulin levels by 17.17%, 32.32%, and 47.47%, respectively, and
α-glucosidase activities by 8.86%, 17.86%, and 32.43%, respectively. Thus, Pu-erh tea has weight- and fat-reducing effects,
and can lower serum insulin and α-glucosidase levels and effectively improve insulin resistance. Therefore, it can be used as
a potential health drink for the prevention and/or treatment of diabetes and high sugar disorders.

Key words: Pu-erh tea, glucose, insulin, α-glucosidase