Anti-oxidative activity of the herb mixture prescribed to induce blood glucose level and effect on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblast

Abstract We prepared five different kinds of herb mixtures prescribed for hypoglycemic effect. And the physicochemical properties of their water extracts were assessed to identify functional materials. Yields were in the range 19.52 ～ 29.79%. Total phenolics and flavonoid contents were 349.24 ～ 1,752.21 mg% and 163.06 ～ 1,118.47 mg%, respectively, and herb mixtures No. 2, 3 and 5 showed particularly high levels greater than 1,000 mg%. Electron-donating ability was best in herb mixtures showing high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. Nitrite-scavenging abilities were more than 70% in herb mixtures No. 2 and 5, and decreased as pH increased. Herb mixture extracts strongly inhibited differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, with potencies ranked in the herb mixture order 5, 1, 4, 3, and 2. The five different kinds of herb mixtures prescribed for their hypoglycemic effects may be useful as functional food materials.Key words ：herb mixture, total phenolics, total flavonoid, electron donating ability, nitrite scavenging ability, 3T3-L1