Antihyperglycaemic mechanisms of an aceteoside polymer from rose flowers and a polysaccharide–protein complex from abalone mushroom.

Oral administration of an aceteoside polymer from rose Rosa rugosa (P_1-b) and a polysaccharide–peptide complex from abalone mushroom Pleurotus abalonus (LB-1b), both with antioxidant activity, produced antihyperglycaemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The expression of insulin, superoxide dismutase and pancreas duodenum homeobox factor-1 essential for pancreatic islet function as estimated by real-time PCR was augmented. The reactive oxygen species-scavenging ability of the rose constituent was notably stronger than the mushroom constituent. Thus, the two biomolecules protected the pancreas from oxidative stress, elevated pancreatic insulin expression and lowered circulating glucose level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]