This study was designed to evaluate antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of ethanol extracts of Taraxacum mongolicum (T.m.) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: normal (NC), STZ-control (DC), and three experimental groups. Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with a single intravenous injection [45 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)] of STZ. An ethanol extract of T.m. was orally given to diabetic rats for 14 days. Three experimental groups were additionally treated with T.m. extract at doses of 1 g/kg b.w./day for T.m.-1, 2 g/kg b.w./day for T.m.-2, and 3 g/kg b.w./day for T.m.-3. Oral administration of T.m.-2 significantly increased their body weights. T.m.-1 and T.m.-2 significantly decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels than DC. T.m.-1 and T.m.-2 group significantly decreased blood glucose levels. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were significantly decreased whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased in groups treated with T.m. extract than those in the DC group. These results support the fact that administration of T.m. extract can reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia risk in diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Atractylodes lancea (A.l.) in a dose-dependent manner on lipid levels and plasma glucose in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ). The Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly classified into five groups: normal, STZ-control and three experimental groups [A.l.-1, diabetic treated with ethanolic extract of A.l. (1 g/kg b.w.), A.l.-2, diabetic administered with ethanolic extract of A.l. (2 g/kg b.w.), and A.l.-3, diabetic administered with ethanolic extract of A.l. (3 g/kg b.w.)]. The normal and STZ-control group were fed an AIN-93 diet and the three experimental groups were administered with A.l. extract at doses of 1, 2, and 3 g/kg b.w./day, respectively, for 14 days. The plasma glucose levels in all the experimental groups were significantly lower than the STZ-control group after 14 days of treatment. The total cholesterol of the A.l.-3 and triglyceride levels, atherogenic index (AI) of all three experimental groups were significantly lower than the STZ-control group. The ALT and AST activities at A.l.-2, A.l.-3 were significantly lower than the STZ-control group. This result that demonstrate the administration of Atractylodes lancea can reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia risk in diabetic rats.

The investigation assessed the influence of Compositae plants consumption on the protein profile in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by injection of STZ (45 mg/kg body weight) into tail vein. The rats were randomly assigned to five groups: normal and STZ-control fed an AIN-93 diet, and groups whose diets were supplemented with l0% Compositae powder containing Artemisia iwayomogi (A. iwayomogi), Atracηlodes lancea (A. lancea) or Taraxacum mongolicum (T mongolicum). To observe the effects of Compositae plants in the animal model， the levels of protein in liver, kidney, lung, pancreas, and brain were determined after 4 weeks. The level of protein in kidney increased significantly in rats receiving the A. iwayomogi- and T mongolicum-supplemented diet compared to the STZcontrol group. The level of protein in lung was increased significantly in the A. iwayomogi-supplemented group. Bl00d glucose level correlated well with brain protein level but did not correlate with other protein levels. Also, blood glucose correlated inversely with kidney, lung and brain protein levels. It is suggested that supplementation with A. iwayomogi in diabetic rats leads elevates protein in kidney and lung.