Mealworms (Tenebrio molitors larvae) have a high quality and quantity of amino acids and protein that have attracted attention as an alternative nutrition resource. This study examined the anti-hyperglycemic effects of fermented mealworm extract (MWF) in db/db mice. The mice were fed with or without MWF for six weeks. MWF was administered orally to the mice at 200 mg/kg body weight/d. MWF improved the fasting blood glucose level and glucose intolerance significantly compared to the control group. Insulin immunohistochemistry staining showed that the insulin levels of pancreatic β-cells in the MWF group were higher than those of the control group. MWF increased the hepatic glycogen content and the related gene levels, such as glucose transporter 2 and glycogen synthase 2. Thus, MWF lowered the blood glucose levels by up-regulating glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis-related gene expression. These results suggest that MWF can be used as a new natural anti-diabetic resource for type 2 diabetes.

This study investigated the antioxidant activity and alcohol-degrading effects of subcritical water extracts from Porphyra dentata (PD-SW) and compared them with hot-water extracts from Porphyra dentata (PD-W). Total polyphenol and flavonoid content, which are the major components responsible for the antioxidant activities of the PD-SW, were higher those in the PD-W. PD-SW also revealed higher antioxidant effects compared to the PD-W, which resulted in the down-regulation of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power values. The PD-SW showed a significant increase in hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity when compared to the alcohol control, resulting in decreased plasma alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations in acute alcohol-induced rats. Overall, PD-SW showed antioxidant activity and was effective in degrading alcohol in acute alcohol-fed rats. These results provide valuable information for applications of natural functional material.