This study investigated the hypoglycemic effects of mulberry leaf (M), green tea (G), and a mixture of mulberry leaf and green tea (MG) in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the non-diabetic (N) and diabetic groups. The experimental animals were divided into four groups and fed the following for four weeks: a normal diet (N), the STZ+normal diet (STZ), the STZ+5% mulberry leaf (STZ-M), STZ+5% green tea (STZ-G), and the STZ+5% mixture of mulberry leaf and green tea (STZ-MG). The whole blood glucose level of the STZ-M, STZ-G and STZ-MG groups significantly decreased compared to the STZ group two weeks later. The serum glucose and fructosamine, and urine glucose levels in the STZ-M, STZ-G and STZ-MG groups were lower than in the STZ group. The levels of serum insulin were higher in the STZ-M, STZ-G and STZ-MG groups than in the STZ group. However, serum glucose, fructosamine and insulin levels, and urine glucose levels were not significantly different among the STZ-M, STZ-G and STZ-MG groups. These results indicate that mulberry leaf, green tea, and their mixture help prevent or attenuate the progression of diabetes in rats with STZ-induced diabetes.
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