Beneficial effect of edible blue-green alga Nostoc flagelliforme (Cyanophyceae) on blood glucose level and serum lipid concentrations in spontaneously non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats

抄録

The edible blue-green alga Nostoc flagelliforme was evaluated for beneficial effect on blood glucose level and serum lipid concentrations in an experiment with SHR rats used as model animals for spontaneously non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In both of N. flagelliforme powder administered rats and N. flagelliforme extract administered rats, the fasting glucose levels on 21st day, 35th day, 49th day and 63rd day were significantly lower than control rats. The concentrations of triglyceride in the serum of N. flagelliforme powder administered rats and total cholesterol and triglyceride in the serum of N. flagelliforme extract administered rats were significantly lower than those of control rats. The concentrations of triglyceride and total cholesterol in the liver of both of N. flagelliforme powder administered rats and N. flagelliforme extract administered rats were significantly lower than those of control rats. These results indicate that N. flagelliforme has beneficial effects on blood glucose level and serum lipid concentrations in spontaneously non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats.