Anti-diabetic effects of polysaccharides from Talinum triangulare in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic male mice

The present study evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of the polysaccharides obtained from Talinum triangulare (TTP). Two TTP doses (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg·bw/d) were administered orally to normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic male Kunming mice, respectively. The TTP hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects were evaluated by testing the fast blood glucose (FBG) level, fasting serum insulin (FINS), and serum lipids (TC, TG, HDL, LDL) as well as the body, hepar and kidney weights. After four weeks administration, the low-dose group 150 mg/kg·bw/d) and high-dose group (300 mg/kg·bw/d) showed a marked FBG fall rate of 29.85% and 41.18% (FBG fall rate % = ((Diabetic control − TTP group)/Diabetic control) × 100%). The results of FBG and serum lipids indicate that TTP possess significant hypoglycemic effect, but no significant hypolipidemic effect. These results suggest the potential use of TTP as a functional food for the treatment of type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM).