Antidiabetic activity of Taxus cuspidata polysaccharides in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

► Crude polysaccharides (TCPs) were obtained by hot water extraction from the Taxus cuspidata. ► The antidiabetic effect of TCPs were evaluated in STZ-diabetic mice. ► TCPs could inhibit the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level of diabetic mice. ► TCPs could improved the body weight and fasting serum insulin (FINS) of diabetic mice. ► TCPs could increase SOD activity in kidney and liver of diabetic mice. ► TCPs could decrease thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in kidney and liver of diabetic mice.