Djulis ( Chenopodium formosanum) and Its Bioactive Compounds for Management of Hyperlipidemia and Hyperglycemia in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Djulis (Chenopodium formosaneum) and its bioactive compounds on hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. The study indicated that, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly higher in HFD-fed mice than in those fed with ethanolic extract of Djulis (EECF) at different doses (10, 25, 50 mg/kg bw), rutin (5 mg/kg bw), betanin (5 mg/kg bw) and quercetin (5 mg/kg bw) throughout the 12-week period, indicating alleviation of hyperlipidemia by EECF and bioactive compounds groups. Moreover, plasma insulin was significantly higher in HFD-fed mice than those fed with EECF at different doses, rutin, betanin and quercetin. In addition, results of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) revealed improved glucose tolerance and ameliorated insulin response at 60 and 90 min in mice fed with EECF, rutin, betanin and quercetin. The findings of this study suggest EECF has beneficial effects on hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia of obese mice induced with HFD, which can be partly attributed to the bioactive compounds present in Djulis.