Hypoglycemic activity of polysaccharide, with antioxidation, isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia

Phytomedicine. 2006 Jun;13(6):428-33. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2005.02.002. Epub 2005 Sep 19.

Abstract

Cordyceps sinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, possesses anti-tumor, immunostimulant and antioxidant activities; however, the identities of active components have not been determined. In our previous study using antioxidant activity-guided fractionation [Li et al., 2003. A polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, protects PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury. Life Sci. 73, 2503-2513], a polysaccharide of molecular weight approximately 210kDa was isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia by ion-exchange and sizing chromatography. The isolated polysaccharide, named CSP-1, which has strong anti-oxidation activity, contains glucose, mannose and galactose in the ratio of 1:0.6:0.75. In the present study, we demonstrated the hypoglycemic effect of CSP-1 on normal and alloxan-diabetic mice and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. The basal glucose level did not differ significantly among the normal mice. CSP-1 (at 200 and 400mg/kg body wt./day for 7 days, p.o.), however, significantly reduced the blood glucose level by 12.0+/-3.2% and 22.5+/-4.7% in normal mice, respectively (p<0.05). When administered at a dose of higher than 200mg/kg body wt. daily for 7 days, CSP-1 produced a significant drop in blood glucose level in both STZ-induced diabetic rats and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The serum insulin levels in diabetic animals were also increased by administration of CSP-1 (p<0.05). CSP-1 with hypoglycemic properties increased circulating insulin level in diabetic animals, which suggests that CSP-1 may stimulate pancreatic release of insulin and/or reduce insulin metabolism.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Alloxan
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Cordyceps*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Polysaccharides / administration & dosage
  • Polysaccharides / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Streptozocin

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Polysaccharides
  • Streptozocin
  • Alloxan
  • Glucose