Hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effects of Jerusalem artichoke extracts on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The effects of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) on hypoglycemia and hepatoprotection in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Water extract of Jerusalem artichoke (JAE) reversed the increase in serum glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further, JAE treatment remarkably prevented elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Treatment with JAE also improved lipid profiles damaged by STZ in the liver by reducing serum levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol. These results suggest that oral administration of JAE may have a potential benefit of ameliorating diabetic symptoms by improving liver damage caused by STZ. This study gives useful information for understanding the anti-diabetic effect of JA.