Xin Qi

Insulin resistance (IR) is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although ginseng polysaccharides have been reported to alleviate IR, the biological functions and mechanisms by which ginseng adventitious root polysaccharides (GARP) improve insulin resistance remain unclear. This study aimed to characterize purified GARP and investigate its effects on insulin resistance and underlying mechanisms. GARP was prepared by hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and column chromatography, followed by structural characterization. Its effects were evaluated in IR‐HepG2 cells and high‐fat diet (HFD)‐ and streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced insulin‐resistant mice. After GARP treatment, metabolic parameters, liver pathology, oxidative stress, and the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway were assessed. GARP was identified as a glucose‐rich acidic polysaccharide. GARP improved glucose utilization, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo, alleviated liver injury, and ultimately ameliorated insulin resistance, potentially through activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Following extraction and purification, GARP showed a relatively uniform molecular weight distribution and alleviated insulin resistance by improving glycolipid metabolism and redox balance, indicating its potential as a functional food ingredient.

The effect of Rhodiola sachalinensis Boriss extract irradiated with 50 kGy gamma rays (HKC) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was investigated. Seven-week-old male SD rats received a subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) to induce BPH. Then, the testosterone only group received testosterone, the testosterone + finasteride group received testosterone and finasteride (5 mg/kg), the testosterone + HKC group received testosterone and HKC extract (500 mg/kg). Prostate weight and the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in serum or prostate tissue were determined. The mRNA expressions of 5-alpha reductase (AR) in prostate tissue were also measured. Compared to the control group, prostate weight was significantly improved in the TP group and decreased in the HKC and finasteride-treated groups. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of 5-AR in the prostate was significantly reduced in the HKC and finasteride-treated groups. Similarly, the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cytokeratin, which are associated with prostatic enlargement in the HKC and finasteride groups, were much lower than in the TP group. HKC treatment showed similar efficacy to finasteride treatment on rats with testosterone-induced BPH. HKC may be explored as a potential new drug for BPH treatment.