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Morus alba L. is an edible fruit with multiple medical function. To reveal the geographic variation pattern of polysaccharide content in the mulberry fruits and its antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities, the fruit samples were collected and analyzed from seven geographic locations throughout the distribution areas in China. The polysaccharide content in the mulberry fruits ranged from 4.13 ± 0.04% to 1.07 ± 0.07%. All the polysaccharides derived from mulberry fruit showed certain antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities with a significant variation. Significant differences were observed among polysaccharide content, antioxidant activity, and sunshine hours, but no clear geographical or polysaccharide content variation patterns were observed for hypoglycemic activity. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the annual average sunshine hours was significantly correlated to the polysaccharide content and antioxidant activity. According to the polysaccharide contents and bioactivities, certain natural populations of M. alba L. such as Xinjiang, Hunan, and Anhui were recommended for food and medical use in future. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Morus alba L. belonging to the family Moraceae, is cultivated across an extensive range of geographical, climatic, and soil conditions. Polysaccharides from mulberry fruit have been proved to have the function of enhancing immunity, antiaging, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic effects with no toxic record in clinic. It has been reported that the phytochemicals accumulation in plants is greatly affected by genetic, climatic, and harvesting factors during the growing period. We revealed the geographic variation pattern of polysaccharide content in the mulberry fruits and its antioxidant activity. Based on the polysaccharide contents and bioactivities, certain natural populations of M. alba L. such as Xinjiang, Hunan, and Anhui were recommended for food and medical use in future. The information obtained by this study could be useful for the selection of natural populations with adequate polysaccharide content, as well as high food and medical use for M. alba L.

Over the past decades, Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) have been extensively and intensively studied through from both clinical and experimental perspectives and CHM have been proved to be effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study, by searching ancient records and modern research papers, reviewed CHM in terms of their clinical application and principal mechanism in the treatment of DM. We summarized the use of CHM mentioned in 54 famous ancient materia medica monographs and searched papers on the hypoglycemic effect of several representative CHM. Main mechanisms and limitations of CHM and further research direction for DM were discussed. On the basis of the study, we were led to conclude that TCM, as a main form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), was well recorded in ancient literatures and has less adverse effects as shown by modern studies. The mechanisms of CHM treatment of DM are complex, multilink, and multitarget, so we should find main hypoglycemic mechanism through doing research on CHM monomer active constituents. Many CHM monomer constituents possess noteworthy hypoglycemic effects. Therefore, developing a novel natural product for DM and its complications is of much significance. It is strongly significant to pay close attention to CHM for treatment of DM and its complications.

Aim. There is evidence thatAnethum graveolens(AG) has been used for centuries in Asian traditional medicine, and its constituents have useful effects on the control and management of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. AG has many useful effects, including hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects, and it has been reported to reduce the incidence of diabetic complications. It acts mainly by affecting antioxidant capacity and change in some genes in glucose and lipid pathways. The aim of the present paper was to summarize pharmacological effects of AG in the management of diabetes.Methods. To prepare this review, a pharmacological and phytochemical literature survey was performed using Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Also, some historical and ethnopharmacological literature sources were used.Results. This review plans to provide readers with an assessment of the pharmacological effects of AG, especially in diabetes.Conclusion. The paper highlights the therapeutic effects of AG which would aid in supporting their safe use in the management of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Though vanadium complexes mimic the action of insulin, owing to their toxicity, research is still in progress for a new vanadium complex with maximum efficacy at low concentration and without any side effects. A novel macrocyclic binuclear oxovanadium complex was synthesized, its composition and structure were confirmed by spectral studies and its efficacy was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats over a period of 30 days. The oral administration of the complex normalizes the blood glucose level in the diabetic rats and also maintains normoglycemia after a glucose load. The biochemical studies revealed that the complex is not toxic to the system. The nontoxic nature of this complex may be due to the presence of the vanadyl ions in an intact form. The study highlights the nontoxic and hypoglycemic effects of the new macrocyclic binuclear oxovanadium complex.

Dietary fiber plays an important role in the prevention and reduction of chronic diseases. This study evaluated the effect of drying methods (hot air drying, vacuum drying, and freeze-drying) on physicochemical properties and in vitro hypoglycemic effects of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber from orange peels. Freeze-drying significantly decreased the bulk density of the soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and increased the viscosity of soluble dietary fiber solutions (36.33 mPa s). Hot air drying caused a decrease in the molecular weight of soluble dietary fiber compared with freeze-drying. Freeze-dried dietary fibers exhibited a higher glucose adsorption capacity and glucose dialysis retardation index than fibers from other drying conditions, and this method enhanced the inhibitory effect of dietary fiber on α-amylase activity. Based on these results, freeze-drying is suggested for use in dietary fiber processing to obtain high-quality products for use in functional foods. Practical applications When formulating fiber-rich food products, the functional properties of dietary fiber must be considered. The functional properties depend on the processing conditions and physicochemical properties of the fiber. The results show that freeze-drying has significant advantages in improving physicochemical properties and in vitro hypoglycemic effects of dietary fiber, and the application of freeze-drying in dietary fiber processing could enhance its nutrient and commercial values.