Modulatory effects of one polysaccharide from Acanthopanax senticosus in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

One water-soluble polysaccharide ASP was purified from Acanthopanax senticosus and its physicochemical properties were confirmed by the combination of chemical and instrumental analysis. ASP administered orally at three doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) could significantly decrease the concentration of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels except for high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level and the relative ratio (HDL/TC) in alloxan-induced diabetic mice, compared with the diabetic controls without drug treatment, comparable with that of diabetic mice treated with metformin. Furthermore, ASP could obviously increase the body weight and serum insulin level and reduce the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, especially at dose of 200 mg/kg. The data demonstrated ASP at the certain did often exhibit the optimal protective effect in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. It is promising that ASP may serve as a drug candidate or a healthcare food for diabetic therapy or protection.     

沙棘籽渣水提物对正常和糖尿病小鼠血糖的影响

本文研究了沙棘籽渣水提物(Aqueous extract of seabuckthorn seed residues,ASSR)对正常及糖尿病小鼠血糖、血脂代谢的影响。首先采用ASSR灌胃昆明种小鼠的急性毒性试验评价了ASSR的安全性;继而以250mg/kg和500 mg/kg剂量的ASSR连续灌胃正常小鼠3周;以250、500和800 mg/kg剂量的ASSR连续灌胃Al-loxan诱导的糖尿病小鼠3周,监测血糖,测定体重、血清胰岛素、总胆固醇和甘油三酯水平。结果显示:ASSR的LD50大于9.8 g/kg体重;连续给药3周,ASSR对正常小鼠的血糖和血脂代谢没有明显影响,但能明显降低糖尿病小鼠的血清葡萄糖和甘油三酯水平。上述结果表明:ASSR的LD50大于5 g/kg体重,按WHO急性毒性分级标准属于实际无毒级,其在实验性1型糖尿病小鼠模型上具有降血糖和降甘油三酯活性。     

Effect of a novel insulinotropic agent, succinic acid monoethyl ester, on lipids and lipoproteins levels in rats with streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes

In the present study, the effect of succinic acid monoethyl ester (EMS) on the pattern of lipids and lipoproteins in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetes was investigated. Type 2 diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by single intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin, 15 min after the i.p administration of 110 mg/kg body weight of nicotinamide. The carboxylic nutrient EMS was administered intraperitonially at a dose of 8 Μmol/g body weight for 30 days. At the end of experimental period, the effect of EMS on plasma glucose, insulin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxide (HP) and serum triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA), total cholesterol (TC), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and the percentage of antiatherogenic index (AAI) (ratio of HDL-C to total cholesterol) were studied. Administration of EMS to diabetic rats resulted in a signi. cant reduction in the elevated levels of plasma glucose, TBARS and hydroperoxides as well as TG, PL, FFA, TC, VLDL-C and LDC-C levels. The decreased plasma insulin and serum HDL-C and percentage of AAI in diabetic rats were also reversed towards near normal. The effect produced by EMS was compared with metformin, a reference drug. The results indicates that the administration of EMS and metformin to nicotinamide-streptozotocin diabetic rats normalized plasma glucose, insulin concentrations and caused marked improvement in altered lipids, lipoprotein and lipid peroxidation markers during diabetes. Our results show the antihyperlipidemic properties of EMS and metformin in addition to its antidiabetic action. Moreover, the antihyperlipidemic effect could represent a protective mechanism against the development of atherosclerosis.     

熊果酸对糖尿病小鼠肝损伤的作用及其可能机制

目的：研究熊果酸对高脂饲料联合链脲佐菌素（STZ）诱导的糖尿病小鼠肝损伤的影响,探讨其可能的作用机制。方法：随机选取20只小鼠高脂饲料喂养6周后,STZ （30 mg/kg）腹腔注射连续5 d,9 d后测空腹血糖,大于11.1 mmol/L视为糖尿病模型,将其随机分为模型组和熊果酸组（100 mg/kg）（n=10）;另取10只小鼠设为对照组。连续给药8周。小鼠称重,测定空腹血糖（FBG）,血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）含量,谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性,丙二醛（MDA）含量,HE染色观察肝组织病理变化。结果：模型组与对照组比较,FBG、血清TC、TG含量,ALT、AST活性、MDA含量明显升高（P<0.05,P<0.01）;SOD活性明显降低（P<0.01）;HE染色显示部分肝细胞水肿,轻度脂肪变性,门管区可见淋巴细胞浸润。熊果酸组与模型组比较,FBG,血清TC、TG含量,ALT、AST活性、MDA含量明显降低（P<0.05,P<0.01）;SOD活性明显升高（P<0.01）;HE染色显示熊果酸组肝细胞排列较为整齐,水肿不明显,淋巴细胞少量存在。结论：熊果酸对高脂饲料联合STZ诱导的糖尿病小鼠肝损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能与降血糖、调节血脂、降低肝组织氧化应激水平,提高肝脏抗氧化能力有关。     

Composition and bioactivity of polysaccharides from Inula britannica flower

In this paper, the composition and biological activities of polysaccharides from Inula britannica flower IBP obtained by water extraction were investigated. The properties and chemical compositions of IBP were analyzed with HPLC and IR methods. The results showed that IBP consisted of two kinds of polysaccharides with the molecular weight of 3500Da, 700Da. IBP consisted of mannose, glucuronic acid, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, arabinose with a molar ratio of 4.1:1:1.4:2.7:14.6:6.3:7.9. The IR spectrum of IBP revealed the typical characteristics of polysaccharides and protein. IBP was administered orally at three doses [100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight] for 14 days to the diabetic mice induced by alloxan. The body weight, plasma glucose, serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and liver glycogen were evaluated in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. IBP could dose-dependently significantly increase the body weight of diabetic mice, and reverse the decrease of plasma glucose, glycogen and the decrease of blood lipid of diabetic mice as compared to those in control group. These results indicated that IBP could be developed to a potential anti-diabetic drug in the future.     

Antidiabetic activity of Taxus cuspidata polysaccharides in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

In present study, crude polysaccharides (TCPs) were obtained by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation from the Taxus cuspidata. With a purpose of finding valuable and economical drug for diabetes, TCPs was administered orally at three doses [50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)] to the diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). The body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FINS), lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as well as glucose tolerance were evaluated in normal and STZ-induced diabetic mice. TCPs could dose-dependently significantly increase the body weight of diabetic mice, and reverse the decrease of SOD and the increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in kidney and liver of diabetic mice as compared to those in control group. Meanwhile, the level of FBG markedly decreased in diabetic mice administrated with TCPs, followed by the enhancement of FINS level especially at the higher dose. Furthermore, glibenclamide and TCPs significantly suppressed the rise in blood glucose after 30 min in the acute glucose tolerance test. These results indicated that TCPs could be developed to a potential anti-diabetic drug in the future.     

大黄素降糖及改善脂质代谢的实验研究

目的：探讨大黄素对2型糖尿病模型db/db小鼠血糖及血脂水平的影响。方法：4周龄16只db/db雄性小鼠随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组8只;治疗组经灌胃每天给予100mg/kg大黄素;对照组灌胃给予相仿体积的生理盐水,开始10天每天算进食量,每周测空腹血糖及体重1次,连续干预8周,干预前及实验结束前1周测胰岛素耐量,干预结束后于颈动脉取血测血脂水平（HDL-C、LDL-C、TG、TC）。结果：①大黄素干预不影响db/db小鼠的进食量,与对照组比较,P〉0.05;②大黄素可显著减轻db/db小鼠体重,与对照组比较,P〈0.05;③大黄素可改善db/db小鼠胰岛素敏感性,降低小鼠的空腹血糖水平,与对照组比较,P〈0.05或P〈0.01;④大黄素可降低db/db小鼠血TG、TC、LDL-C水平,P〈0.01。结论：大黄素可有效地改善db/db小鼠的糖脂紊乱状态,其降糖及改善血脂代谢机制值得进一步深入研究。     

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

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.     

Hypoglycemic effect of the total flavonoid fraction from Folium Eriobotryae

The antidiabetic effect of the total flavonoids fraction from leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (EJF) was evaluated through normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with graded oral doses of 150, 300, 450 mg/kg for 7 days or 14 days. The result showed that the dose of 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg resulted significant hypoglycemic effect on normal mice, the dose of 300 mg/kg induced significant decrease in plasma glucose concentration (PGC), glycosylated serum protein (GSP), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), and significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and serum insulin level in streptozotocin-diabetic mice. These results suggested that EJF has hypoglycemic potential.     

Anti-diabetic activities of Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide (ASP) in combination with metformin

Combination therapy had become very popular currently for the diabetes mellitus and its complications, because of long term unreasonable drug use and adverse reaction to human body. In this study, a polysaccharide (ASP) from the roots of Acanthopanax senticosus was evaluated as an adjuvant with metformin for antidiabetic therapy in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The result identified ASP plus metformin had a more beneficial promotion for relieving the symptoms of diabetes and reversing liver and kidney damage to normal level than only metfomin administration to diabetic rats. The blood glucose, blood lipid (TC and TG), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, creatinine and urea levels in diabetic rats were decreased by combination of ASP and metformin. Furthermore, the body weight, liver glycogen formation, antioxidant substance (GSH) and antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GPX) levels increased evidently in diabetic mice treated with both ASP and metformin. In particular, sometimes ASP plus metformin could significantly reverse the pathophysiologic parameters of diabetic rats to normal level than only metformin administration. Therefore ASP could be developed to a new adjuvant combined with metformin for diabetes mellitus therapy in the future.     

两种发酵食品对糖尿病模型小鼠血糖及血脂的影响

目的：观察诺丽果汁和纳豆两种发酵食品对实验性糖尿病小鼠血糖及血脂的影响。方法：ICR雌性小鼠一次性尾静脉注射四氧嘧啶（55 mg/kg）,72 h后将空腹血糖值≥ 12.00 mmol/L、尿糖呈强阳性（+++）者视为糖尿病小鼠模型。将糖尿病模型小鼠随机分为3组（n=10）：模型（DM）组、诺丽果汁（NJ）组和纳豆（NT）组,另取10只正常ICR雌性小鼠作为正常对照（NC）组。NJ组、NT组分别给予诺丽果汁（25.0 ml/kg）、纳豆（0.6 g/kg）灌胃,其他两组小鼠分别给予生理盐水（25.0 ml/kg）灌胃,连续给药30 d,小鼠自由进食、饮水,记录小鼠饮水量及进食量。末次给药后1.5 h,测定小鼠葡萄糖耐量,经股动脉采血测定小鼠糖化血清蛋白（GSP）、血清胰岛素（Ins）和血脂等指标的变化情况。结果：与NC组比较,DM组小鼠饮水量、进食量、GSP及血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）等均显著升高（P<0.01）,葡萄糖耐量、Ins及高密度脂蛋白（HDL）均显著降低（P<0.01）;与DM组比较,NJ组与NT组小鼠GSP、TG及LDL均明显降低（P<0.01,P<0.05）,葡萄糖耐量、Ins和HDL明显升高（P<0.05）。结论：诺丽果汁与纳豆具有降低糖尿病模型小鼠血糖、增加糖耐量及改善血脂的作用,提示二者对糖尿病防治可能具有一定的应用价值。     

Effect of the Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Thiamine for the Management of Diabetes in Alloxan-Induced Mice: a Stereological and Biochemical Study

This research was carried out to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and thiamine following experimental diabetes. Fifty-six 6-week-old female mice were used and divided into seven groups of eight animals. Diabetes was induced in fasted mice by using intraperitoneal (IP) injection of alloxan (180 mg/kg). Groups included (I) non-diabetic control, (II) thiamine (30 mg/l, IP), (III) alloxan-induced diabetic mice, (IV) diabetes + ZnO NPs (0.1 mg/kg IP), (V) diabetes + ZnO NPs (0.5 mg/kg IP), (VI) diabetes + ZnO NPs (0.1 mg/kg IP) + thiamine (30 mg/l, IP), and (VII) diabetes + ZnO NPs (0.5 mg/kg IP) + thiamine (30 mg/l, IP). Coincident with pancreas recovery, in diabetic treated mice (groups IV to VII), the mean islet volume, islets per square micrometer, and volume density of the pancreas had increased than in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. ZnO NPs and thiamine induced a decreasing blood glucose, lower serum triglyceride (TG), LDL, and total cholesterol (TC) levels in alloxan-induced diabetic mice treated with ZnO NPs and thiamine, simultaneously increasing HDL as well. In conclusion, ZnO NPs and thiamine are potent antidiabetic factors, and that, these compound supplementation possesses hypoglycemic properties and have effect on serum lipid parameters in diabetes mice.     

Carvacrol partially reverses symptoms of diabetes in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Little is known about the protective effects of carvacrol on the symptoms of streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. Hence, this present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of the strong antioxidant, carvacrol, on the symptoms of streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. Carvacrol at the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight were orally administered to diabetic rats for a period of 7 days after the onset of diabetes. Food-water intake and body weight changes were daily recorded. Biochemical parameters such as serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were measured. Although treatment of diabetic rats with oral administration of carvacrol resulted in a slight reduction in serum glucose level and significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase in comparison with diabetic control rats, there were no significant differences in serum insulin levels, food-water intake values and body weight changes. Despite the inadequacy of carvacrol on diabetes treatments, it was determined to have at least a partially protective role on liver enzymes.     

Antidiabetic effect of Cogent db,a herbal drug in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus

Cogent db, a compound herbal drug, was investigated for its possible antidiabetic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 g/kg body wt. of the aqueous solution of Cogent db for 40 days exhibited a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and increased plasma insulin, total haemoglobin along with antihyperlipidemic effects in diabetic rats. The effective dose was found to be 0.45 g/kg body wt. It also prevents body weight loss in diabetic rats. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed in experimental diabetic rats in which there was a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in rats treated with Cogent db. A comparison was made between the action of Cogent db and a known antidiabetic drug — glibenclamide (600 μg/kg body wt.). The antidiabetic effect of Cogent db was more effective than that observed with glibenclamide.     

Antihyperlipidemic and antidiabetic effects of umbelliferone in streptozotocin diabetic rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate blood glucose and lipid lowering effects of Umbelliferone (UMB) in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Male albino Wistar rats (180 to 200 g) were induced diabetes by administration of STZ (40 mg/kg) intraperitonially. Normal and diabetic rats were treated with UMB in 10 percent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 45 days. Diabetic rats had increased plasma glucose and decreased insulin, total proteins (TP), and albumin in addition to decreased food intake and body weight. Elevation in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), and phospholipids (PL), and reduction in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the plasma were observed. Liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats had elevation in the levels of TC, TG, FFA, and PL. Treatment with UMB decreased plasma glucose and increased insulin, TP, and albumin apart from food intake and body weight. In UMB-treated diabetic rats, plasma and tissue TC, TG, PL and FFA, and plasma LDL-C, VLDL-C, and HDL-C reversed to near normal. Thus, reduction of blood glucose and lipid profiles indicates that UMB has antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects in diabetic rats.     

西红花水提物对实验性糖尿病小鼠血糖水平的影响

目的：观察西红花水提物对链脲佐菌素（STZ）诱导的糖尿病小鼠血糖、血脂及胰腺组织的影响。方法：采用STZ （60 mg/kg）连续2 d腹腔注射建立糖尿病小鼠模型。将造模成功后的小鼠随机分为3组（n=10）：糖尿病模型（DM）组、西红花水提物（SE）组、阳性对照二甲双胍（MH）组。另取10只正常小鼠设为正常对照（NC）组。给药组每天灌胃1次,连续6周,模型组和正常对照组灌胃生理盐水。给药期间每周测定小鼠进食量、饮水量及体重,给药6周后测定空腹血糖（FBG）、口服糖耐量（OGTT）、糖化血清蛋白（GSP）、血清胰岛素（INS）和血脂等指标的变化情况;HE染色观察胰腺组织病理变化。结果：与NC组相比,DM组进食量、饮水量、线下曲线面积、FBG、GSP以及血脂中的总胆固醇（TC）均显著升高,空腹体重、血清胰岛素（INS）及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-c）均显著降低;与DM组相比,SE组小鼠饮水量、FBG、线下曲线面积、TC显著降低,HDL-c以及INS显著升高。病理学显示DM组胰岛结构破坏、胰岛细胞数量明显减少、胰岛血管增生、形态不规则等变化,SE能明显修复受损胰腺组织。结论：SE对链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病小鼠有一定降血糖、降血脂作用,可以有效改善胰腺病变的情况,提示西红花可能用于糖尿病的防治。     

金耳菌丝体多糖对实验性2型糖尿病大鼠的降血糖作用研究

本文研究了金耳菌丝体多糖(TMP)对实验性2型糖尿病大鼠血糖、血脂、胰岛素敏感性和抗氧化能力的影响。采用烟酰胺,链脲佐菌素和高脂饲料诱导2型糖尿病大鼠模型,以50和100mg/(kg.d)剂量的TMP连续灌胃48d,监测血糖,测定血清胰岛素、体重、脂代谢及抗氧化系统部分相关指标,并进行口服糖耐量实验。结果显示,TMP可明显降低2型糖尿病大鼠的血清葡萄糖、总胆固醇、甘油三酯和丙二醛水平,并极显著提高受试模型鼠的胰岛素敏感指数,血清超氧化物歧化酶活性和肝脏过氧化氢酶活性。此外,TMP能显著降低糖耐量实验中糖负荷后120min时糖尿病大鼠的血糖含量。上述结果表明TMP可有效降低实验性2型糖尿病大鼠的血糖水平,纠正脂代谢紊乱,改善胰岛素抵抗,增强抗氧化能力。     

壳寡糖螯合铬对糖尿病小鼠降血糖作用的研究

探讨壳寡糖螯合铬(Cos-Cr)的降血糖作用。选择发育相近的健康雄性小鼠10只为正常对照组,糖尿病小鼠30只随机分为糖尿病对照组、壳寡糖组(Cos)和螯合铬组(Cos-Cr),每组各10只,实验期4 w,测定小鼠血糖值。壳寡糖螯合铬可以降低糖尿病小鼠血糖,增加体重,增加脾脏指数,明显缓解糖尿病小鼠饥饿和烦渴的症状。肝脏损伤明显减轻。同时观察肝组织病理变化。壳寡糖螯合铬对糖尿病小鼠有降糖,改善糖尿病症状的作用。     

野生地参多糖对四氧嘧啶致糖尿病小鼠血糖和血脂的影响

为了研究野生地参多糖对四氧嘧啶(ALX)致糖尿病小鼠血糖和血脂的影响,利用四氧嘧啶(ALX)建立糖尿病小鼠模型,分别灌胃低(100 mg/(kg.d))、中(200 mg/(kg.d))、高(400 mg/(kg.d))剂量地参多糖溶液及阳性对照药盐酸苯乙双胍,正常对照组及糖尿病模型对照组则给等体积生理盐水。结果表明:连续给药14 d后,地参多糖对正常小鼠血糖无明显影响,100、200和400 mg/(kg.d)地参多糖均能明显降低ALX所致糖尿病小鼠高血糖,与糖尿病模型对照组相比,P<0.01;同时,相同剂量的地参多糖还能极显著降低ALX致糖尿病小鼠血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)(P<0.01)。中、高剂量地参多糖使糖尿病小鼠血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)显著回升(P<0.05),但低剂量地参多糖对糖尿病小鼠血清HDL-C则无明显影响(P>0.05)。地参多糖能明显降低ALX致糖尿病小鼠高血糖及高血脂。     

Enhanced Anti-Diabetic Activity of a Combination of Chromium(III) Malate Complex and Propolis and its Acute Oral Toxicity Evaluation

In order to obtain the additional benefit of anti-diabetic activity and protective effects of liver injury for diabetes, the anti-diabetic effect and acute oral toxicity of a combination of chromium(III) malate complex (Cr(2)(LMA)(3)) and propolis were assessed. The anti-diabetic activity of the combination of the Cr(2)LMA(3) and propolis was compared with Cr(2)(LMA)(3) and propolis alone in alloxan-induced diabetic mice by daily oral gavage for a period of 2 weeks. Acute oral toxicity of the combination of the Cr(2)LMA(3) and propolis was tested using ICR mice at the dose of 1.0-5.0 g/kg body mass by a single oral gavage and observed for a period of 2 weeks. The results of the anti-diabetic activity of the combination from the aspects of blood glucose level, liver glycogen level, and the activities of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase indicated that the increased anti-diabetic activity and the protective efficacy of liver injury for diabetes were observed. In acute toxicity study, LD(50) (median lethal dose) value for the combination was greater than 5.0 g/kg body mass. The combination of Cr(2)LMA(3) and propolis might represent the nutritional supplement with potential therapeutic value to control blood glucose and exhibit protective efficacy of liver injury for diabetes and non-toxicity in acute toxicity.