Hypoglycemic Effect of Hemp Seed Cake Protein Hydrolysates in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

The potential of plant-based bioactive peptides to be used as an alternative or complementary therapy for the safe management of metabolic diseases such as diabetes is garnering increasing attention. In this in vivo study, the hypoglycemic effect of bromelain hydrolysates of hemp seed cake protein is analyzed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The results demonstrate that treatment of mice with the hydrolysate at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks leads to a significant decrease in blood glucose levels (by 39%), serum triglyceride levels (16.44%), total cholesterol (13.50%), and low-density lipoprotein LDL (23.60%) compared to the untreated streptozotocin (STZ) group. The obtained values are comparable to those of the group treated with acarbose, which is used as a reference drug in the study. The applied hydrolysate significantly reduces serum alanine aminotransferase levels (by 39.38%) compared to the values of the untreated STZ group, while the change in superoxide dismutase levels was comparable to that of the group treated with acarbose. This study demonstrates the capacity of the applied hydrolysate to improve hyperglycemic conditions and reveals opportunities for future research into its potential as a functional ingredient.