Hypoglycemic effect of dietary fibers from bamboo shoot shell: An in vitro and in vivo study

Bamboo shoot shell (BSS) was enzymatically decomposed to yield insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and total dietary fiber (TDF), which were investigated for their hypoglycemic properties using in vitro and in vivo methods. The results indicated that SDF exhibited significantly higher glucose adsorbing capacity than those of IDF and TDF. Moreover, SDF showed similar inhibition potential against alpha-amylase with acarbose. TDF displayed the greater capacities of delaying glucose diffusion and inhibition of alpha-glucosidase than those of SDF. In the diabetic mice, after 4-week administration of BSS fibers or metformin, the blood glucose levels were significantly reduced and the oral glucose tolerance was improved. TDF and IDF hardly influenced the blood insulin level, while SDF could significantly increase blood insulin level. The results showed that BSS fibers could be a potentially available dietary ingredient in functional food.