• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.308-314
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• 2011

In the present study, we investigate anti-diabetic effect of pectinase-processed ginseng radix (GINST) in high fat diet-fed ICR mice. The ICR mice were divided into three groups: regular diet group, high fat diet control group (HFD), and GINSTtreated group. To induce hyperglycemia, mice were fed a high fat diet for 10 weeks, and mice were administered with 300 mg/kg of GINST once a day for 5 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test revealed that GINST improved glucose tolerance after glucose challenge. Compared to the HFD control group, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were decreased by 57.8% (p<0.05) and 30.9% (p<0.01) in GINST-treated group, respectively. With decreased plasma glucose and insulin levels, the insulin resistance index of the GINST-treated group was reduced by 68.1% (p<0.01) compared to the HFD control group. Pancreas of GINST-treated mice preserved a morphological integrity of islets and consequently having more insulin contents. In addition, GINST up-regulated the levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its target molecule, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expression in the skeletal muscle. Our results suggest that GINST ameliorates a hyperglycemia through activation of AMPK/GLUT4 signaling pathway, and has a therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.220-225
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• 2012

To develop a ginseng product possessing an efficacy for diabetes, ginseng radix ethanol extract was treated with pectinase and obtained the GINST. In the present study, we evaluate the beneficial effect of GINST on high fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and action mechanism(s) in ICR mice. The mice were randomly divided into five groups: regular diet group (RD), high fat diet group (HFD), HFD plus GINST at 75 mg/kg (GINST75), 150 mg/kg (GINST150), and 300 mg/kg (GINST300). Oral glucose tolerance test reveals that GINST improves the glucose tolerance after glucose challenge. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were decreased by 4.3% and 4.2% in GINST75, 10.9% and 20.0% in GINST150, and 19.6% and 20.9% in GINST300 compared to those in HFD control group. Insulin resistance indices were also markedly decreased by 8.2% in GINST75, 28.7% in GINST150, and 36.4% in GINST300, compared to the HFD control group. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acid levels in the GINST300 group were decreased by 13.5%, 22.7% and 24.1%, respectively, compared to those in HFD control group. Enlarged adipocytes of HFD control group were markedly decreased in GINST-treated groups, and shrunken islets of HFD control mice were brought back to near normal shape in GINST300 group. Furthermore, GINST enhanced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). In summary, GINST prevents HFD-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia through reducing insulin resistance via activating AMPK-GLUT4 pathways, and could be a potential therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes.