Hyperglycemia, abnormal
lipid and
antioxidant profiles are the most usual complications in
diabetes mellitus. Thus, in this study, we investigated the anti-diabetic and anti-oxidative effects of
anthocyanins (ANT) from black soybean seed coats in
streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The administration of ANT markedly decreased
glucose levels and improved heart hemodynamic function (left ventricular end diastolic pressure, +/-dp/dt parameters). ANT not only enhanced STZ-mediated
insulin level decreases, but also decreased the
triglyceride levels induced by STZ injection in serum. Diabetic rats exhibited a lower expression of
glucose transporter 4
proteins in the membrane fractions of heart and skeletal muscle tissues, which was enhanced by ANT. In addition, ANT activated
insulin receptor phosphorylation, suggesting an increased utilization of
glucose by tissues. Moreover, ANT protected pancreatic tissue from STZ-induced apoptosis through regulation of
caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2
proteins. Furthermore, ANT significantly suppressed
malondialdehyde levels and restored
superoxide dismutase and
catalase activities in diabetic rats. Interestingly, the observed effects of ANT were superior to those of
glibenclamide. Taken together, ANT from black soybean seed coat have anti-diabetic effects that are due, in part, to the regulation of
glucose transporter 4 and prevention of
insulin resistance and pancreatic apoptosis, suggesting a possible use as a
drug to regulate diabetes.