Prevention of diet-induced type 2 diabetes in the C57BL/6J mouse model by an antidiabetic herbal formula

Significant positive effects of an antidiabetes herbal formula (ADHF) on the prevention of progressive diet‐induced type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) in the well recognized C57BL/6J mouse model were demonstrated. The results of the present studies confirm that C57BL/6J mice, through a genetic predisposition, developed NIDDM‐like symptoms on a regular schedule when fed solely on a diabetes induction diet containing high fat, high simple carbohydrate and low fibre. Blood glucose levels consistent with type 2 diabetes were detected after 8 weeks on this induction diet. In contrast, no members of the prevention study groups of C57BL/6J mice, which had ADHF mixed into their diabetes induction diet, developed progressive evidence of NIDDM‐like symptoms. Specific parameters observed to be significantly reduced in mice in the prevention diet groups fed ADHF mixed into the diabetes induction diet compared with the diabetes positive control groups fed diabetes induction diet only were clinical signs, blood glucose and serum insulin levels, insulin resistance and histopathological changes in major organs. This is the first report to our knowledge to show in vivo evidence for the successful prevention of progressive NIDDM‐like symptoms by the addition of an anti‐diabetes herbal formula to a effective diabetes induction diet. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.