Hypoglycemic effects of Stachys affinis Bunge in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

BACKGROUND: Stachys affinis Bunge (S. affinis) tubers are rich in carbohydrate with a large amount of stachyose which had been proven to have antidiabetic potential. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate hypoglycemic effects of tuber extract of Stachys affinis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. METHODS: The stachyose content of the extract was determined by UPLC. Diabetes was induced by the administration of single dose of streptozotocin (170 mg/kg). The hypoglycemic effects of the extract were evaluated by comparing fasting blood glucose level, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity between groups treated with the S. affinis tuber extract (at doses of 750 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg) and diabetic control group over 28 days of treatment. RESULTS: The daily treatment with the extract at doses of 750 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg significantly reduced fasting blood glucose level from 278.12 mg/dL to 127.50 mg/dL, and 238.97 mg/dL to 177.12 mg/dL (p <  0.01), respectively. Besides, the treatment also improved the sensitivity of diabetic treated mice to insulin (P <  0.05). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the S. affinis tuber extract demonstrated significant hypoglycemic effects.