Effect of Berberis dasystachya Polysaccharide on Glucose and Lipid Metabolisms in STZ-induced Type I Diabetic Rats

In order to provide theoretical support for diabetes prevention and therapy, this study investigated the regulatory effect of Berberis dasystachya Maxim. Polysaccharide (BDP) on glucose and lipid metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic model rats were randomly assigned to the model control group, low-dose polysaccharide group (BDP-L, 10 mg/kg), mid-dose polysaccharide group (BDP-M, 200 mg/kg), and high-dose group (BDP-H, 400 mg/kg). Blood lipid levels, lipid metabolic enzyme activity, and antioxidant enzyme activity served as evaluation markers. Results showed that after 28 days of administering yellow thorn polysaccharide, the BDP-treated groups exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lower blood glucose and lipid levels compared to the model group, with a remarkable 39.16% reduction in blood glucose in the high-dose group (P<0.01). In contrast, serum insulin levels and hepatic glycogen (HG) levels increased in the BDP-treated groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01), with a 1.28-fold increase in serum insulin (P<0.01) and an 89.79% increase in HG (P<0.01) in the high-dose group. Furthermore, compared to the model group, serum and pancreatic levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH-Px) were significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were considerably reduced (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner following BDP treatment. In conclusion, BDP effectively improved glucolipid metabolism in diabetic rats by alleviating oxidative stress, ultimately safeguarding pancreatic β-cell integrity in type I diabetes.