This study investigated the anti‐diabetic effects of water extracts from Korea medicinal herbs on hepatic glucose‐regulating enzymes, such as acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and glucokinase (GK). The hepatic cytosol faction of a type ? diabetic animal (GK rat, Goto‐kakizaki) was used in acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and glucokinase (GK) activity assays. Type 2 diabetes generally characterized by non‐insulin‐dependent hyperglycemia in early stages and the therapeutic approach available is by retarding absorption of glucose through the inhibition of α‐glucosidase enzyme in the intestinal. Thus α‐glucosidase inhibition assay was assayed. The Korea medicinal herbs were Salvia miltiorrhiza (DS), , Panax notoginsengs (JC), Lycium chinense (JGP), Dioscorea japonica (SY), R. glutinosa (SJH), Pyrus pyrifolia fructus (YSB), Cucumis melo var. makuwa stem (CWJ), Coix lachrymajobi var. mayuen (YM), Cornus officinalis (SSY), Paeonia suffruticosa (MDP), Cordyceps sinensis (DCH), Acanthopanax senticosus (GSO). The ACC activity in cytosol fraction of liver was higher in the 0.01mg/ml DCH water extract than that of the control and SSY water extract significantly increased the GK activity. YSB, MDP, GSO water extracts had high α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity and the effect was higher than that of acarbose (reference α‐glucosidase inhibitor). These observations suggest that DCH, SSY, YSB, MDP and GSO water extracts are the effective candidates for preventing type 2 diabetes.

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Since obesity is well known as a potential risk factor for chronic diseases such as hyperlipidemia and diabetes, many researches have been focused on finding natural anti‐obesity compounds. This study was carried out to estimate anti‐obesity effects of plant extract on activities of enzymes related with fat metabolism. Changes in activities of acyl‐CoA synthetase, lipoprotein lipase and hormone‐sensitive lipase were compared for lean and fa/fa rats. While extracts from Plantago asiatica and Letinus edodes gave rise to an augmented acyl‐CoA synthetase activity in fa/fa rats, those from Semen plantaginis and Plantigo asiatica resulted in decreased lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue of fa/fa rats. Abdominal hormone‐sensitive lipase activities in 10‐week old Zucker rats were significantly enhanced by Zea mays L. This study indicated that plant extract might be developed as a plausible anti‐obesity nutraceutical supplements.