Effect of Compositae Plants on Protein Levels in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

The investigation assessed the influence of Compositae plants consumption on the protein profile in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by injection of STZ (45 mg/kg body weight) into tail vein. The rats were randomly assigned to five groups: normal and STZ-control fed an AIN-93 diet, and groups whose diets were supplemented with 10% Compositae powder containing Artemisia iwayomogi (A. iwayomogi), Atractylodes lancea (A. lancea) or Taraxacum mongolicum (T. mongolicum). To observe the effects of Compositae plants in the animal model, the levels of protein in liver, kidney, lung, pancreas, and brain were determined after 4 weeks. The level of protein in kidney increased significantly in rats receiving the A. iwayomogi- and T. mongolicum-supplemented diet compared to the STZ-control group. The level of protein in lung was increased significantly in the A. iwayomogi-supplemented group. Blood glucose level correlated well with brain protein level but did not correlate with other protein levels. Also, blood glucose correlated inversely with kidney, lung and brain protein levels. It is suggested that supplementation with A. iwayomogi in diabetic rats leads elevates protein in kidney and lung.