• Title/Summary/Keyword: Asian body

Search Result 2,378, Processing Time 0.033 seconds

Dietary corn resistant starch regulates intestinal morphology and barrier functions by activating the Notch signaling pathway of broilers

  • Zhang, Yingying;Liu, Yingsen;Li, Jiaolong;Xing, Tong;Jiang, Yun;Zhang, Lin;Gao, Feng
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.33 no.12
    • /
    • pp.2008-2020
    • /
    • 2020
  • Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary corn resistant starch (RS) on the intestinal morphology and barrier functions of broilers. Methods: A total of 320 one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 5 dietary treatments: one normal corn-soybean (NC) diet, one corn-soybean-based diet supplementation with 20% corn starch (CS), and 3 corn-soybean-based diets supplementation with 4%, 8%, and 12% corn resistant starch (RS) (identified as 4% RS, 8% RS, and 12% RS, respectively). Each group had eight replicates with eight broilers per replicate. After 21 days feeding, one bird with a body weight (BW) close to the average BW of their replicate was selected and slaughtered. The samples of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum digesta, and blood were collected. Results: Birds fed 4% RS, 8% RS and 12% RS diets showed lower feed intake, BW gain, jejunal villus height (VH), duodenal crypt depth (CD), jejunal VH/CD ratio, duodenal goblet cell density as well as mucin1 mRNA expressions compared to the NC group, but showed higher concentrations of cecal acetic acid and butyric acid, percentage of jejunal proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells and delta like canonical Notch ligand 4 (Dll4), and hes family bHLH transcription factor 1 mRNA expressions. However, there were no differences on the plasma diamine oxidase activity and D-lactic acid concentration among all groups. Conclusion: These findings suggested that RS could suppress intestinal morphology and barrier functions by activating Notch pathway and inhibiting the development of goblet cells, resulting in decreased mucins and tight junction mRNA expression.

Training Program to Raise Consciousness Among Adolescents for Protection Against Skin Cancer through Performance of Skin Self Examination

  • Balyaci, Ozum Erkin;Kostu, Nazan;Temel, Ayla Bayik
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.13 no.10
    • /
    • pp.5011-5017
    • /
    • 2012
  • Background: Overexposure to sunlight in childhood and the adolescent period and associsated sunburns significantly increase the risk of skin cancer in adulthood. In Turkey, the incidence of skin cancer in the general population is 0.8%. The incidence is 0.6% and the mortality rate is 0.4% for men, while these rates are 1.0% and 0.7%, respectively, for women. If skin cancer is found early, its treatment is facilitated. Therefore, personal skin examination is important for early diagnosis. Objectives: Our aim was to determine the effects of training for raising consciousness among adolescents to protect against skin cancer by influencing skin self examination behavior. Method: This quasi experimental intervention study was conducted between February and April 2012 in Izmir. The study population consisted of students attending $6^{th}$, $7^{th}$ and $8^{th}$ classes of a primary school (n:302). No sampling was performed. Data were collected with a form developed by the researchers based on the literature. The first part of form is aimed to determine demographic characteristics of adolescents (3 questions) and their risk status of skin cancer (6 questions). The second part was prepared for skin cancer risks of adolescents (8 questions) and indications of skin cancer (12 questions). The last part was intended to determine their knowledge about skin self examination (4 questions) and behavioral stages of skin self examination (1 question). Data collection was achieved with a questionnaire form in three phases. In the 1st phase, data about demographic characteristics of students, risk status of skin cancer, knowledge level of skin cancer and behavior stages were collected. In the $2^{nd}$ phase, skin self examination training based on the transtheoretical model was performed within the same day just after obtaining preliminary data. In the $3^{rd}$ phase, adolescents were followed up three times to establish the efficacy of the training (on the $15^{th}$ day after training program and at end of the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ months). Follow-up data were evaluated by questioning skin self examination performing behavior stages through electronic mail. Results: Half of the adolescents (50.5%) are male, and 58.4% of them are 13 years old with a mean age of $12{\pm}1.15$ years. About 29.4% of adolescents had brown hair color, 37.9% had brown/hazel eye color, 29.4% had white skin, and 47.2% had fewer than 10 moles in their body. The pretest mean score on knowledge level about risks of skin cancer was found to be $4.19{\pm}1.96$, while the post-test mean score was $6.79{\pm}1.67$ (min:0, max:8).The pretest mean score about indications of skin cancer was $7.45{\pm}3.76$, while the post-test mean score was $10.7{\pm}2.60$ (min:0, max:12). The increases were statistically significant (p<0.05). The behavior "I do not perform skin self examination regularly in every month and I do not think to perform it in the next 6 months" was reduced from 52.8 to 35.5% after training. Conclusion: The training program organized to raise consciousness among adolescents for protection against skin cancer increased the knowledge level about risks and indications of skin cancer and it also improved the behavior of performing skin self examination.

Effect of Different Seasons on the Performance of Grey Giant Rabbits under Sub-Temperate Himalayan Conditions

  • Bhatt, R.S.;Sharma, S.R.;Singh, Umesh;Kumar, Davendra;Bhasin, V.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.15 no.6
    • /
    • pp.812-820
    • /
    • 2002
  • An experiment was conducted on 190 progeny (winter -74; summer -59; rainy -57) of 12 Grey Giant rabbits (10 female +2 males), to assess the effect of different seasons in a year, on their reproductive, growth and productive performances along with feed efficiency, under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions. The daily meteorological attributes recorded during winter (October to March), summer (April to June) and rainy (July to September) seasons, and analysed were minimum and maximum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Various biological parameters recorded were doe weights at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth, kit mortality, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning, weekly body weight up to 98 d and weaner mortality. Individual weight gains, dressing percentages, meat weights, liver weights, raw-pelt weights, processed pelt weights and processed pelt areas at slaughter on d 84 and 98, respectively were also recorded. The feed and fodder compositions and their nutritive values during different seasons were also analysed. Average ambient temperature during winter, summer and rainy seasons were $13.2{\pm}2.8$, $22.4{\pm}3.7$ and $24.8{\pm}2.3^{\circ}C$, respectively. The average relative humidity and total rainfall for winter, summer and rainy seasons were $68.9{\pm}1.5$% and $48{\pm}26.6$mm, $66.3{\pm}4.8$% and $125.6{\pm}56.8$ mm, and $77.3{\pm}1.3$% and $116.3{\pm}90.4$ mm, respectively. The weight of doe at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth and litter size at weaning were comparatively higher whereas litter weight at weaning was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter as compared to summer and rainy seasons. The kit mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while the weaner mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during rainy season. At 84 d, the live weight per doe, slaughter weight, dressing percentage and liver weight were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter than summer and rainy. Similarly, the gain in weight and meat weight at 84 and 98 d were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter. The weight of raw pelt and processed pelt were recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while no difference in the area of processed pelts during different seasons could be observed. No difference in the biological performance could be observed between sexes in any of the seasons. Roughage analysis revealed comparatively higher crude protein percent and lower crude fibre percent during summer and rainy seasons than in winter. The roughage dry matter intake was comparatively higher during summer and rainy seasons vis-a-vis constant amount of concentrate supplied during all the three seasons. The digestibilities of dry matter was significantly (p<0.05) lower, whereas that of crude fiber, acid detergent fibre and cellulose were negative during winter. Interestingly, the feed:gain was exceedingly well during winter than in other seasons and it is concluded that it was the best season for production of rabbits under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions.

The effect of dietary asparagine supplementation on energy metabolism in liver of weaning pigs when challenged with lipopolysaccharide

  • Kang, Ping;Liu, Yulan;Zhu, Huiling;Zhang, Jing;Shi, Haifeng;Li, Shuang;Pi, Dinan;Leng, Weibo;Wang, Xiuying;Wu, Huanting;Hou, Yongqing
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.31 no.4
    • /
    • pp.548-555
    • /
    • 2018
  • Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate whether asparagine (Asn) could improve liver energy status in weaning pigs when challenged with lipopolysaccharide. Methods: Forty-eight weaned pigs ($Duroc{\times}Large\;White{\times}Landrace$, $8.12{\pm}0.56kg$) were assigned to four treatments: i) CTRL, piglets received a control diet and injected with sterile 0.9% NaCl solution; ii) lipopolysaccharide challenged control (LPSCC), piglets received the same control diet and injected with Escherichia coli LPS; iii) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+0.5% Asn, piglets received a 0.5% Asn diet and injected with LPS; and iv) LPS+1.0% Asn, piglets received a 1.0% Asn diet and injected with LPS. All piglets were fed the experimental diets for 19 d. On d 20, the pigs were injected intraperitoneally with Escherichia coli LPS at $100{\mu}g/kg$ body weights or the same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution based on the assigned treatments. Then the pigs were slaughtered at 4 h and 24 h after LPS or saline injection, and the liver samples were collected. Results: At 24 h after LPS challenge, dietary supplementation with 0.5% Asn increased ATP concentration (quadratic, p<0.05), and had a tendency to increase adenylate energy charges and reduce AMP/ATP ratio (quadratic, p<0.1) in liver. In addition, Asn increased the liver mRNA expression of pyruvate kinase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase ${\beta}$ (linear, p<0.05; quadratic, p<0.05), and had a tendency to increase the mRNA expression of hexokinase 2 (linear, p<0.1). Moreover, Asn increased liver phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK)/total AMP-activated protein kinase (tAMPK) ratio (linear, p<0.05; quadratic, p<0.05). However, at 4 h after LPS challenge, Asn supplementation had no effect on these parameters. Conclusion: The present study indicated that Asn could improve the energy metabolism in injured liver at the late stage of LPS challenge.

Effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula and its extraction on muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs, porcine cell proliferation and isoforms of myosin heavy chain gene expression in myocytes

  • Yu, Qin Ping;Feng, Ding Yuan;He, Xiao Jun;Wu, Fan;Xia, Min Hao;Dong, Tao;Liu, Yi Hua;Tan, Hui Ze;Zou, Shi Geng;Zheng, Tao;Ou, Xian Hua;Zuo, Jian Jun
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.30 no.11
    • /
    • pp.1620-1632
    • /
    • 2017
  • Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) on muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs and the effects of the formula's extract (distilled water, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extraction) on porcine cell proliferation and isoforms of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) gene expression in myocytes. Methods: In a completely randomized design, ninety pigs were assigned to three diets with five replications per treatment and six pigs per pen. The diets included the basal diet (control group), TCMF1 (basal diet+2.5 g/kg TCMF) and TCMF2 (basal diet+5 g/kg TCMF). The psoas major muscle was obtained from pigs at the end of the experiment. Muscle fiber characteristics in the psoas major muscle were analyzed using myosin ATPase staining. Cell proliferation was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye and cytometry. Isoforms of MyHC gene expression were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The final body weight and carcass weight of finishing pigs were increased by TCMF1 (p<0.05), while the psoas major muscle cross-sectional area was increased by TCMF (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area and diameter of psoas major muscle fiber Ι, IIA, and IIB were increased by TCMF2 (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area and fiber diameter of psoas major muscle fiber IIA and IIB were increased by diet supplementation with TCMF1 (p<0.05). Psoas major muscle fiber IIA and IIB fiber density from the pigs fed the TCMF1 diet and the type IIB fiber density from the pigs fed the TCMF2 diet were lower compared to pigs fed the control diet (p<0.05). Pigs fed TCMF2 had a higher composition of type Ι fiber and a lower percentage of type IIB fiber in the psoas major muscle (p<0.05). The expression levels of MyHC Ι, MyHC IIa, and MyHC IIx mRNA increased and the amount of MyHC IIb mRNA decreased in the psoas major muscle from TCMF2, whereas MyHC Ι and MyHC IIx mRNA increased in the psoas major muscle from TCMF1 (p<0.05). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ $coactivator-1{\alpha}$ and CaN mRNA expression in the psoas major muscle were up-regulated by TCMF (p<0.05). Porcine skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation was promoted by $4{\mu}g/mL$ and $20{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF water extraction (p<0.05). Both $1{\mu}g/mL$ and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of TCMF water extraction increased MyHC IIa, MyHC IIb, and MyHC IIx mRNA expression in porcine myocytes (p<0.05), while MyHC Ι mRNA expression in porcine myocytes was decreased by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF water extraction (p<0.05). Porcine myocyte MyHC Ι and MyHC IIx mRNA expression were increased, and MyHC IIa and MyHC IIb mRNA expression were down-regulated by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF ethyl acetate extraction (p<0.05). MyHC Ι and MyHC IIa mRNA expression in porcine myocytes were increased, and the MyHC IIb mRNA expression was decreased by $1{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF ethyl acetate extraction (p<0.05). Four isoforms of MyHC mRNA expression in porcine myocytes were reduced by $5{\mu}g/mL$ TCMF petroleum ether extraction (p<0.05). MyHC IIa mRNA expression in porcine myocytes increased and MyHC IIb mRNA expression decreased by $1{\mu}g/mL$ in a TCMF petroleum ether extraction (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that TCMF amplified the psoas major muscle cross-sectional area through changing muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs. This effect was confirmed as TCMF extraction promoted porcine cell proliferation and affected isoforms of MyHC gene expression in myocytes.

Preparation of Fermented Milk Added with Powder of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten and Its Sensory Characteristics (백년초 분말을 첨가한 발효유 제조 및 관능적 특성)

  • Lee, Jo-Yoon;Bae, Hyoung-Churl
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
    • /
    • v.19 no.6
    • /
    • pp.967-974
    • /
    • 2009
  • The effects of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten powder on the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were investigated in order to explore the possibility of manufacturing fermented milk containing the powder. Differences in pH, acidity, LAB counts, viscosity, and sensory evaluation were measured. Also the effects of dietary supplementation on the growth of piglets were evaluated by feeding fermented milks containing 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0% Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten powder. Levels of pH, titratable acidity, viable LAB counts and viscosity were significantly different by the addition of the powder. When fermented milks containg 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1.0% Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten powder were kept at $4^{\circ}C$ for 30 days, viable LAB counts remained high after 30 days of storage. The effects of dietary supplementation of 0.2% Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten fermented milk were investigated by examining piglet growth rate and fecal ammonia gas release. The piglets were fed 100g/herd of the fermented milk for 14 days. Average daily body weight gain was significantly (p<0.05) improved (110%) with dietary supplementation of the fermented milk, compared to a control group. More over, fecal ammonia gas emissions were reduced by dietary supplementation of the Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten fermented milk. Sensory evaluation results showed that the samples containing 0.1% and 0.2% Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten powder had the most parameters similar to those of the control.

  • PDF

The Effects of Chitosan-Ascorbate Treated Kwamaegi on Serum Lipid Profiles and ROS-Related Enzyme Activities in Rats (키토산-아스코베이트 처리 과메기의 식이가 정상 흰쥐의 혈청지질과 항산화계 효소활성에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Do-Kyun;Kim, Jae-Won;Oh, Sung-Hee;Lee, Sang-Il;Kim, Mee-Jung;Kim, Soon-Dong
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
    • /
    • v.19 no.6
    • /
    • pp.987-995
    • /
    • 2009
  • The effects of Kwamaegi on serum lipid profiles and ROS(reactive oxygen spices) generating and scavenging enzyme activities were investigated in rats. The three experimental groups were divided as follows: normal control diet group (NC), 5% naturally prepared and freeze-dried Kwamaegi supplemented diet group (NPK) and 5% chitosan-ascorbate treated and artificially dried (CWDD: Chilly Wind & Dehumidification Drier) Kwamaegi supplemented diets group (CAK). There were no significant differences in weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio or organs weights per body weight including liver, kidney, heart and spleen among the group. In addition, there were no significant differences in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol contents. The HDL-cholesterol contents of the NC, CAK and NPK groups were 62.00, 36.48 and 78.44 mg/dL while LDL-cholesterol contents were 62.00, 36.48 and 78.44 mg/dL, respectively, which were significantly different. The atherogenic indeces in the experimental groups were 0.62, 1.20 and 0.13, respectively. There were no significant differences in total XOD (xanthine oxidoreductase) activities; however XOD type O activity was higher in the NPK group than un the NC group and in the CAK group XOD type O activity was 21~45% lower compared to NC and NPK groups. SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity was significantly higher in the CAK group than in the NC and NPK groups, while there were no significantly differences in GST (glutathione S-transferrase) activity among the groups. Furthermore, serum ALT activity was higher in the NPK group versus the NC and CAK groups. GSH (glutathione) content was higher and LPO (lipid peroxide) content lower in the CAK group compared to the NC and NPK groups. Forem the above results, we suggest that CA treated and artificially dried Kwamaegi is not only a hygienic product but also has lowering effects on LDL-cholesterol and the atherogenic index together with the lowering of ROS-generating and increasing of ROS-scavenging enzyme activities compared to other natural products.

  • PDF

Effect of Supplementation of Fermented Milk Containing Active Peptides(IPP, VPP) in Accordance with Medical Nutrition Therapy in Pre- and Hypertension Subjects (고혈압 전단계 및 고혈압 환자에서 의학영양치료와 병행한 생리활성 펩티드 함유 유산균 발효유 섭취가 혈압에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Ji-Young;Kim, Yun-Young;Kim, Hye-Rang;Yun, Sung-Seob;Kim, Wan-Sik;Yea, Hyun-Soo;Chung, Jin-Young;Lee, In-Hoe;Choue, Ryo-Won
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
    • /
    • v.18 no.6
    • /
    • pp.918-926
    • /
    • 2008
  • It is well known non-drug therapy for hypertension patients can reduce blood pressure. These types of therapy include maintaining ones ideal body weight, quitting smoking, consuming large amounts of fruits and vegetables consuming low levels of saturated fat and salt and regular exercise. Fermented milk protein derived biologically active peptides such as isoleucine-proline-proline_(IPP) or valine-proline-proline_(VPP) have been shown to lower blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. This study was conducted to investigate the antihypertensive effects of medical nutritional therapy _(MNT) in accordance with the consumption of fermented milk enriched with IPP and VPP. To accomplish this, we conducted a randomized case-controlled study of 43 subjects who had blood pressure levels greater than 120/80 mmHg. The subjects in the study group were randomly allocated into two groups, an MNT + fermented milk (100mL/day) group (n=21) and an MNT+L. helveticus fermented milk with tripeptides (IPP=2.2mg, VPP=2.6mg/100mL) group (n=22). The MNT included weight management, reduction of sodium, total fat and saturated fat intake, increased intake of fruits and vegetables, and increased intake of low fat dairy products. The treatments were administered for 12 weeks during which time no drug interventions were conducted. The daily intakes of total calories, fats, cholesterol and Na decreased significantly after 12 weeks of MNT in the control and the experimental groups. In addition, the systolic blood pressure de creased significantly in the control and experimental groups; however, the diastolic blood pressure only decreased significantly in the experimental group. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the intake of fermented milk containing IPP and VPP in conjunction with MNT exerted positive effects on the blood pressure of pre- and hypertensive subjects.

  • PDF

Antioxidant Effect of Chungkukjang Supplementation against Memory Impairment induced by Scopolamine in Mice (Scopolamine으로 유도된 기억 손상 마우스에서 청국장 식이의 항산화 효과)

  • Kong, Hyun-Joo;Lee, Kyung-Eun;Yang, Kyung-Mi
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
    • /
    • v.26 no.3
    • /
    • pp.237-249
    • /
    • 2016
  • In this study, the antioxidant effect of Chungkukjang supplementation against memory impairment and oxidative stress in scopolamine (2 mg/kg i.p)-injected mice was investigated. The experimental animals were divided into five groups and fed experimental diets for 12 weeks; normal diet group (C), scopolamine + normal diet group (S), scopolamine + 63.0% soybean Chungkukjang supplementation group (SS), scopolamine + 45.0% Yakkong Chungkukjang supplementation group (SY), and scopolamine + 50.0% black foods such as black rice, black sesame seeds, and sea tangle added Yakkong Chungkukjang group (SYB). For the results of food intake, body weight gain, and brain weights, levels of scopolamine-injected groups were lower than the levels of the control group. The reduced brain weight of the scopolamine-injected group (S) was regulated to control level by supplementation of three types Chungkukjang. In the oxidative stress indicator, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels in serum of scopolamine-injected mice were higher than those of other groups. However, supplementation of soybeans, Yakkong and black foods added Yakkong Chungkukjang was proven to regulate them. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in serum showed no significant differences among the groups. The reduced levels of vitamin A and vitamin E in serum and brain tissue of scopolamine-injected mice were controlled by supplementation of three types of Chungkukjang. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of scopolamine-injected group was lower than those of other groups. However, TAC was significantly elevated by Chunggukjang supplementation. Therefore, antioxidative effects of soybeans, Yakkong, and black foods added Yakkong Chungkukjang supplementations against oxidative stress in scopolamine-injected in mice could expected.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Allium hookeri Root on Hepatic Enzyme Contents in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats (삼채 보충식이가 당뇨흰쥐 간의 항산화효소 함량에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Myung-Wha
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
    • /
    • v.27 no.4
    • /
    • pp.399-407
    • /
    • 2017
  • The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Allium hookeri (AH) root on hepatic antioxidative enzyme contents in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats through injection of STZ dissolved in citrate buffer into tail veins at a dose of 45 mg/kg body weight. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an AIN-93 recommended diet, and the experimental groups were fed a modified diet containing 5% and 10% of AH root powder for 4 weeks. The experimental groups were divided into four groups: a normal control (N-control), STZ-control, STZ-AH 5%, and STZ-AH 10% supplemented groups. The STZ-AH 5% group showed a significant increase in liver glycogen compared to the STZ-control group. Muscle glycogen and liver protein contents significantly increased in the AH-supplemented groups compared to the STZ-control group. The liver malondialdehyde content of the AH-supplemented group was significantly lower than that of the STZ-control group. Xanthine oxidase content was significantly reduced in all experimental groups. Glutathione-S-transferase content was significantly elevated in the AH-treated groups compared to the STZ-control group. Superoxide dismutase content was not significantly different among the experimental groups. Catalase content was significantly higher in the STZ-AH 10% group compared to the STZ-control group. These results show that supplementation with AH root may be useful for diabetic therapy and damage from oxidative stress.