PROPHYLACTIC AND THERAPEUTIC AGENT FOR DIABETES MELLITUS DISEASE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for diabetes mellitus disease and a functional food or a food material for prophylaxis/improvement of diabetes mellitus disease, in which Terminalia catappa L. is effectively utilized by utilizing physiological activity of Terminalia catappa L. which is not sufficiently carried out except for utilization of seeds as a food and utilization as street trees, bing readily available as an ingredient derived from the plant, scarcely having adverse effect on living bodies and having high safety. SOLUTION: This prophylactic and therapeutic agent for the diabetes mellitus disease comprises one or more kinds of materials selected from Terminalia catappa L. and its treated material as active ingredients. The treated material is preferably a hot water extract of dried leaf of Terminalia catappa L. The prophylactic and therapeutic agent for the diabetes mellitus disease has an action lowering contents of glucose, insulin and total cholesterol and nitrogen monoxide in serum and lowering renal LPO content and blood glucose level. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI