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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Leprdb Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes: Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Live-cell 2-Photon Imaging Of Intact Islets
Published on: May 11, 2015
Cordyceps cicadae mycelia and its active compound HEA exert beneficial effects on blood glucose in type 2 diabetic
I-Chen Li1, Shan Lin1, Yueh-Ting Tsai2
1Grape King Bio Ltd, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
Background:
This is the first study to investigate the therapeutic effects of Cordyceps cicadae (C. cicadae) mycelia and its active compound N6 -(2-hydroxyethyl)adenosine (HEA) on blood glucose in genetically diabetic mice.
Results:
Forty mice, 9 weeks of age, were divided into normal control, diabetic control, and three C. cicadae mycelia treated diabetic groups. After 9 weeks of continuous supplementation, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance index showed significant glucose tolerance with C. cicadae mycelia. Furthermore, the effect of HEA is similar to that of C. cicadae mycelia in an OGTT, suggesting that HEA could be the major factor responsible for the functional properties of C. cicadae mycelia.
Conclusion:
Based on these findings, it is suggested that the therapeutic effect of C. cicadae mycelia may be driven by one of its active components, HEA, which could alleviate many diabetes complications in genetically obese mice and may offer promise as a supplement for diabetes management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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