American ginseng berry juice intake reduces blood glucose and body weight in ob/ob mice

J Food Sci. 2007 Oct;72(8):S590-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00481.x.

Abstract

Diabetes is a serious chronic metabolic disease and has a significant impact on patients' lives and the health care system. We previously observed that the organic solvent extract of American ginseng berry possessed significant antidiabetic effects in obese diabetic ob/ob mice after intraperitoneal injection. If American ginseng berry is useful as a dietary supplement, simple preparation and oral intake would be a convenient, safe, and practical means for consumers. In this study, the simply prepared berry juice was first analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, and then administered orally in the ob/ob mice. The animals received daily berry juice 0.6 mL/kg or vehicle for 10 consecutive days. The results indicated that oral juice administration significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels, and this effect continued for at least 10 d after cessation of the treatment. Data from intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test demonstrated that there was a notable improvement in glucose tolerance in the juice treated group. In addition, the berry juice significantly reduced body weight. Our data suggest that ginseng berry juice, as a dietary supplement, may have functional efficacy in consumers with diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use
  • Beverages / analysis*
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Weight / drug effects*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Ginsenosides / administration & dosage*
  • Ginsenosides / therapeutic use
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Obese
  • Nutritive Value
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Random Allocation
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Blood Glucose
  • Ginsenosides
  • Hypoglycemic Agents