Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf extract increases endogenous antioxidant activity in type 2 diabetic mice

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (Du-zhong) leaf extract was investigated for its antioxidant effects in type 2 diabetic animals, C57BL/KsJ-dh/db mice. Du-zhong extract equivalent to 1% dried whole Du-zhong leaf (0.187 g of extract/100 of diet) was added to the experimental diets for 6 weeks. The Du-zhong extract supplement significantly lowered blood glucose concentrations and elevated plasma paraoxonase activity compared with the control group. The activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly higher in the Du-zhong group compared with the control group, while glutathione reductase (GR) activity was not different between groups. The activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and GR in liver and kidney were not affected by Du-zhong extract supplementation, whereas the CAT activity was significantly higher in the Du-zhong group than in the control group. Du-zhong extract supplementation resulted in lower levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxide in erythrocytes, liver, and kidney. These results suggest that the antioxidant activity of Du-zhong extract is potentially beneficial for the prevention and management of complications of type 2 diabetes.