Our previous studies have proved that the polysaccharide extracted
from mulberry leaves, namely MLPII, could significantly alleviate
hyperglycemia and hyperlipidaemia by ameliorating carbohydrate and
lipid metabolism on diabetic rats induced by a high fat diet and
streptozotocin (STZ). Moreover, MLPII treatment resulted in a marked
recovery of both the pathological changes in the pancreatic islets and
in the numbers of pancreaticβ-cells[25]. Therefore, we aimed to further
investigate the effects of MLPII on pancreatic islet cell apoptosis and insulin secretory function, and its relevant mechanisms in the regulation
of metabolic process involved in physiological function of pancreas