Effects of ramie leaf extract on blood glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice

Abstract

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of ramie leaf ethanol extract (RLE) on C75BL/KsJ-db/db mice were determined. The db/db mice were divided into diabetic control group (C), two experimental groups orally treated with low dose (200 mg/k, RLEL) and high dose (400 mg/kg, RLEH) of RLE. After 6 weeks, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels decreased in RLE groups compared to those in the control group. The glucose levels in the oral glucose tolerance test and area under the curve for glucose in the RLE groups were also significantly lower than those in the control group (p <0.05). The serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in the RLEH group, whereas the serum HDL-cholesterol level was significantly increased in the RLEH group (p <0.05). These data suggest that RLE may improve blood glucose and lipid metabolism in mice with type 2 diabetes.