• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1611-1617
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• 2004

This study was carried out to examine the effects of pills made of mulberry leaves and silkworm powder on lowering blood glucose level. Experimental animals were Sprague-Dawley male rat weighing 100$\pm$10 g and pills were supplemented with 0.4% (4 g/kg) diet. Experimental groups were assigned to diabetic group (DM group) and pill supplemented groups. Pill supplemented groups were classified 100% mulberry leaves (M group), mixing 25% silkworm powder to mulberry leaves (25SM group), mixing 50% silkworm powder to mulberry leaves (50SM group), mixing 70% silkworm powder to mulberry leaves (75SM group) and 100% silkworm powder (100S group). Experimental diets and water fed ad libitum, and streptozotocin was injected to induce diabetic state after 3rd weeks and sacrificed on the 9th day. The contents of 1-deoxynojirimycin(DNJ) were increased with adding the silkworm powder. The contents of GABA and rutin were increased with adding the mulberry leaves. In vitro, intestinal mucosa $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activities were significantly increased in pills which mixed with silkworm powder by 50%. Blood glucose levels were high in groups which mixed with silkworm powder by 50% compared to DM group. Intestinal mucosa maltase activity in proximal part was significantly reduced in pill supplemented group compared to DM group and pill supplemented groups were no significant difference. Enzyme activity in middle part was no significant difference in experimental groups. Enzyme activity in distal part was decreased in pill supplemented groups, especially in 50SM, 75SM and 100S groups were significantly reduced compared to DM group. Sucrase and lactase activities in pill supplemented groups were significantly reduced at proximal part, and there was no significant difference in middle and distal parts. In conclusion, pills made of mulberry leaves and silkworm powder increased the $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro and reduced the blood glucose levels by controlling the disaccharidase activities of intestinal proximal part in STZ-induced diabetic rat. The synergistic effect was the highest when mulberry leaves was mixed with silkworm powder by the ratio of 50 : 50.