Insulinotrophic and hypolipidemic effects of Ecklonia cava in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the anti-diabetic activity of Ecklonia cava (EC) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.

METHODS

Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (90 mg/kg). Normal and diabetic mice were treated with 0%, 3%, and 5% EC diet for 4 weeks. Serum glucose and insulin concentrations, serum lipid profile, oral glucose tolerance test, and liver and pancreatic β-cell histopathological observations were performed. In addition, in vitro glucose-induced insulin secretion was determined using pancreatic β-islet cells.

RESULTS

EC supplementation significantly and dose-dependently decreased serum glucose concentration, and improved glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice by preventing loss of β-cell mass resulting in increase of insulin secretion. The triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations in the serum and liver were markedly reduced by EC treatment in STZ-diabetic mice. Moreover, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol levels were ameliorated in EC supplemented diabetic mice. Liver steatosis induced by STZ was ameliorated by EC supplementation. Furthermore, in vitro insulinotrophic effect of EC extract was observed in pancreatic β-islets.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that EC is a potent and efficacious hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent, and prevents the loss of β-cell mass resulting in increase of insulin secretary capacity.