A polysaccharide from Acanthopanax senticosus improves the antioxidant status in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

The effects of Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide (ASP) on antioxidant status had been investigated both in vitro and in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. In vitro antioxidant assays, ASP had a potent scavenging ability to superoxide radical and hydroxyl radicals. In vivo experiment, male Wistar rats were made diabetic by injection of alloxan and ASP (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic mice for two months. ASP treatment could significantly and dose-dependently reduce the levels of lipid peroxidation markers, namely thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides (LP), and elevate enzymic antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the plasma, liver, kidney and heart of diabetic rats. Moreover, increased level of serum insulin and decreased level of blood glucose (FBG) were observed in the plasma of diabetic control rats. The results demonstrated that ASP oral administration had an efficacious amelioration effect on the antioxidant status in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.