Comparisons of regulating blood glucose effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract with and without biotransformation by Hericium erinaceus

The regulatory effects of blood glucose, lipid metabolism and free radical elimination were compared in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats among the following treatments: Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGB), the biotransformation of EGB by Hericium erinaceus, a cultural filtrate of H.erinaceus, and the cultural filtrate of H.erinaceus plus EGB, together with the normal control, the model control and the positive control (Metformin). The best results were obtained from the biotransformation treatment group, which could significantly reduce the levels of blood glucose and fructosamine. However, the treatment did not increase the blood insulin level. The EGB transformed products could obviously increase the serum superoxide dismutase activity and reduce the malondialdehyde level, but the reduction of malondialdehyde was not obvious as compared with that of the other treatment groups. This study provides a useful information on improving the medical properties of the herb extracts by biotransformation.