ABSTRACT
Guava leaf (GL) has been widely used as an herbal medicine for diabetes treatment in tropical and sub-tropical regions. GL has the function of drying dampness and fortifying the spleen, clearing heat and resolving toxins. Modern pharmacological study showed that GL contained flavonoid, phenolic acids, terpene, sesquiterpenoids and other chemical compounds, which regulated hyperglycemia. In recent years, the clinical and basic research on GL has received certain progress. This article reviewed effective components of GL, as well as research progress on clini-cal and basic research of type 2 diabetes.
ABSTRACT
Depending on the meaning and function of the liver in traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine,this paper explores the important role of liver in the pathogenesis of DM (Diabetes Mellitus,DM).Combined with treatment based on syndrome differentiation and specific case report study,this paper has stressed the importance of treating DM from liver and so to set a sound basis for the systemic treatment based on syndrome differentiation from internal organs for DM.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effects of Tangnaikang (TNK), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in obese Zucker rats. Methods: Twelve male obese Zucker rats, 6 weeks old, were randomly divided into control group and TNK group (3.24 g/kg) after being fed for 2 weeks. All rats received high-fat diet and 4-week treatment. Body weight and blood glucose were tested every week. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and fasting insulin level was tested on days 0, 14 and 28. Triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and free fatty acids (FFA) were tested on day 28. Glucose infusion rate (GIR) was tested by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp from day 29. The protein expressions of protein kinase B (Akt), phospho-Akt (p-Akt) (Thr308) and glucose transporter protein 4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle and GLUT4 in adipose tissue were measured after hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp test. Results: Compared with the control group, the fed blood glucose level and glucose level of OGTT at 120 min had a significant decline in TNK group on day 28, and TNK caused no alteration of the fasting serum insulin, and the GIR increased significantly in hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp study. Furthermore, TNK increased Akt and p-Akt (Thr308) protein expressions in skeletal muscle and decreased the protein expression of GLUT4 in white adipose tissue. Body weight, and triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C and FFA contents were slightly decreased in the TNK group, but there were no statistically significant effects. Conclusion: TNK increases the protein expressions of Akt and p-Akt (Thr308) of the signal transduction pathway to influence the translocation of GLUT4 in skeletal muscle and improves glucose metabolism by reducing insulin resistance.