Potential Anti-diabetic Activities from Edible Bird Nest and Its Hydrolysates

Traditionally, edible bird's nest (EBN) is considered as one of the delicacies, believed having numerous health benefits that been sought after in Asia, especially China. This paper discussed the potential anti-diabetic activities of the EBN and its hydrolysate. The ability of EBN hydrolysate to stimulate glucose uptake were tested by in vitro viability test using L6 myotube cells. The anti-diabetic test was done in vivo using rats, tested through fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance. Metformin, the commercial drugs for anti-diabetic, was used as controls. Results showed that the dosage of 1 mg/ml of EBN hydrolysate was safe and better than metformin in the cell viability test. The findings showed that both test of glucose uptake (in vivo and in vitro) with the supplementation of EBN hydrolysate exhibited anti-diabetic activities. These results demonstrated the positive effects of hydrolysis process on EBN as an anti-diabetic agent which warrants further investigation of the EBN hydrolysate as a potential nutraceutical food supplement.