Effects of the Mori folium Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

고혈당 흰쥐에서 상엽(桑葉)의 혈당 조절과 항산화 작용에 관한 연구

Objectives : Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might play a major role. Therefore, many methods have been tried to regulate oxygen free radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Because Mori foliumhas been known to be effective for the treatment of diabetes, the methanol extract of Mori folium was tested for its effectiveness in reducing the oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin. Methods : The crushed Mori folium was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ or 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 11.7 g. Mori folium extract was oral-administered to diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin at 100 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 20 days. The efficacy of the Mori foliumextract was examined with regard to the enzymatic pathways involved in oxygen free radical production and glutathione balance. Results : The effects of the Mori foliumin streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with regards to body weight, blood glucose and insulin level, hepatic lipid peroxide level, hepatic glutathione level, hepatic glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase level, hepatic aldose reductase activity, and hepatic sorbitol dehydrogenase activity were shown to be good enough to cure and prevent diabetes and its complications. Conclusions : These results indicated that Mori folium might reduce oxidative stress in tissues and organs by regulating the production of oxygen free radicals. Especially Mori folium might prevent and cure diabetes and its complications by reducing oxidative stress in the ${\beta}-cells$ of the pancreas.