Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effect of Uraria crinita water extract in diabetic mice induced by STZ and food

Uraria crinita (UC) is a traditional edible plant and has been used as herbal medicine for a long history in China. There is no report on its anti-diabetic activity. In the present study we evaluated anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of U. crinita water extract (UCWE) in diabetic mice. Type II diabetes was induced in mice by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in combination with high fat and protein food. After 3 weeks, oral administration of UCWE significantly decreased the fasting blood glucose in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), as well as significantly suppressed the increase of blood glucose after glucose challenge. Plasma concentration of triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FFAs) were also decreased. Furthermore, UCWE increased the concentration of plasma insulin. Taken together, UCWE exhibited hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity, indicating a beneficial effect in diabetes treatment. 　 Key words: Uraria crinita water extract (UCWE), diabetes, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), TG, FFAs, insulin.