Potential hypoglycemic metabolites in dark tea fermented by Eurotium cristatum based on UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS combining global metabolomic and spectrum-effect relationship analyses.

The preventive and therapeutic effects of dark tea fermented by Eurotium cristatum (DTE) in glucose metabolism have been demonstrated. However, few studies have investigated comprehensive changes in the chemical composition and activity in DTE before and after fermentation. In this study, the metabolic profiling of raw samples and fermented samples was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). Furthermore, a systematic analytical strategy combining global metabolomics and the spectrum-effect relationship based on α-glucosidase inhibition was employed for screening discriminant metabolites. As a result, 15 discriminant metabolites were identified in DTE samples. Among them, 10 metabolites (4 fatty acids, 1 dyphylline derivative, 3 lysophosphatidylcholines, and 2 triterpenes) increased in relative contents and the contents of the other 5 polyphenol metabolites decreased after fermentation. These metabolites were critical constituents possibly associated with DTE's hypoglycemic activity, which also might be suitable as quality evaluation indicators. This study provided a worthy insight into the exploration of representative active constituents or quality indicators of DTE.

Antidiabetic Effect of Tibetan Medicine Tang-Kang-Fu-San on High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of a Tibetan medicine, Tang-Kang-Fu-San (TKFS), on experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Firstly two major chemical compositions of TKFS, gallic acid and curcumin, were characterized by HPLC fingerprint analysis. Next T2DM in rats was induced by high-fat diet and a low-dose streptozotocin (STZ 35 mg/kg). Then oral gavage administration of three different doses of TKFS (0.3 g/kg, 0.6 g/kg, and 1.2 g/kg) was given to T2DM rats. Experimental results showed that TKFS dramatically reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting blood insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, even though it did not alter the animal body weight. The downregulation of phosphorylation-AKT (p-AKT) and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle of T2DM rats was restored and abnormal pathological changes in pancreas tissues were also improved. Our work showed that TKFS could alleviate diabetic syndromes, maintain the glucose homeostasis, and protect against insulin resistance in T2DM rats, and the improvement of AKT phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle would be one of its possible underlying mechanisms.

Antidiabetic Effect of Tibetan Medicine Tang-Kang-Fu-San in db/db Mice via Activation of PI3K/Akt and AMPK Pathways.

This study was to investigate the anti-diabetic effects and molecular mechanisms of Tang-Kang-Fu-San (TKFS), a traditional Tibetan medicine, in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus of spontaneous diabetic db/db mice. Firstly HPLC fingerprint analysis was performed to gain the features of the chemical compositions of TKFS. Next different doses of TKFS (0.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, and 2.0 g/kg) were administrated via oral gavage to db/db mice and their controls for 4 weeks. TKFS significantly lowered hyperglycemia and ameliorated insulin resistance (IR) in db/db mice, indicated by results from multiple tests, including fasting blood glucose test, intraperitoneal insulin and glucose tolerance tests, fasting serum insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of IR analysis as well as histology of pancreas islets. TKFS also decreased concentrations of serum triglyceride, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, even though it did not change the mouse body weights. Results from western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that TKFS reversed the down-regulation of p-Akt and p-AMPK, and increased the translocation of Glucose transporter type 4 in skeletal muscles of db/db mice. In all, TKFS had promising benefits in maintaining the glucose homeostasis and reducing IR. The underlying molecular mechanisms are related to promote Akt and AMPK activation and Glucose transporter type 4 translocation in skeletal muscles. Our work showed that multicomponent Tibetan medicine TKFS acted synergistically on multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Effects of acupuncture at "Sifeng" (EX-UE 10) on serum zinc and gastric emptying rate in the rat of experimental spleen deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To probe the mechanism of acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) for treatment of infant anorexia. METHODS: Healthy rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an acupuncture group. The model rats were made by intramuscular injection of Reserpine. The acupuncture group were treated with pricking at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) once daily for 2 weeks. After that, the gastric emptying rate and contents of Zn in the red cell and serum were observed in all the groups. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the gastric emptying rate was accelarated, and the serum Zn content was increased in the acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) has significant therapeutic effect on the rat with spleen deficiency, accelerating the gastric emptying rate and increasing the serum Zn content.

[An experimental study on treatment of osteoarthritis with herbal compound capsule].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of herbal compound capsule on knee arthritis. METHOD: Right knee arthritis model was established by knotting right femoral vein, so as to observe drug action. RESULTS: Compared with model group, herbal compound capsule could reduce intraosseous pressure, cardiac whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and concentration of nitric oxide, and inhibit degenerative changes of arthral cartilage. CONCLUSION: The herbal compound capsule can inhibit experimental osteoarthritis.