AIMTo investigate the effects of pumpkin polysaccharides on blood glucose and lipids levels in diabetic rats.

METHODSDiabetic rats induced by alloxan through intraperitoneal injection were randomly divided into three groups, diabetes, xiaoke pill and pumpkin polysaccharides group, according to weight and blood glucose level. And the normal control group was founded at the same time. The normal control group and diabetes group were lavaged with distilled water, other two groups were respectively lavaged with xiaoke pill or pumpkin polysaccharides. Weighed once a week, and analyzed fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and free fatty acid level in serum after 4 weeks.

RESULTSIn diabetes group, weight and high density lipoprotein level decreased, and fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and free fatty acid level in serum increased significantly. But, all of the indexes changed oppositely in xiaoke pill group and pumpkin polysaccharides group, and effects of pumpkin polysaccharides were better.

CONCLUSIONPumpkin polysaccharides can increase the weight, decrease the blood glucose and lipids levels in diabetic rats, and have some good effects to diabetes and diabetes complications.