Trimer procyanidin oligomers contribute to the protective effects of cinnamon extracts on pancreatic ß-cells in vitro.

AIM: Cinnamon extracts rich in procyanidin oligomers have shown to improve pancreatic ß-cell function in diabetic db/db mice. The aim of this study was to identify the active compounds in extracts from two species of cinnamon responsible for the pancreatic ß-cell protection in vitro. METHODS: Cinnamon extracts were prepared from Cinnamomum tamala (CT-E) and Cinnamomum cassia (CC-E). Six compounds procyanidin B2 (cpd1), (-)-epicatechin (cpd2), cinnamtannin B1 (cpd3), procyanidin C1 (cpd4), parameritannin A1 (cpd5) and cinnamtannin D1 (cpd6) were isolated from the extracts. INS-1 pancreatic ß-cells were exposed to palmitic acid (PA) or H2O2 to induce lipotoxicity and oxidative stress. Cell viability and apoptosis as well as ROS levels were assessed. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was examined in PA-treated ß-cells and murine islets. RESULTS: CT-E, CC-E as well as the compounds, except cpd5, did not cause cytotoxicity in the ß-cells up to the maximum dosage using in this experiment. CT-E and CC-E (12.5-50 µg/mL) dose-dependently increased cell viability in both PA- and H2O2-treated ß-cells, and decreased ROS accumulation in H2O2-treated ß-cells. CT-E caused more prominent ß-cell protection than CC-E. Furthermore, CT-E (25 and 50 µg/mL) dose-dependently increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in PA-treated ß-cells and murine islets, but CC-E had little effect. Among the 6 compounds, trimer procyanidins cpd3, cpd4 and cpd6 (12.5-50 µmol/L) dose-dependently increased the cell viability and decreased ROS accumulation in H2O2-treated ß-cells. The trimer procyanidins also increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in PA-treated ß-cells. CONCLUSION: Trimer procyanidins in the cinnamon extracts contribute to the pancreatic ß-cell protection, thus to the anti-diabetic activity.

[Efficacy controlled observation on acupuncture and western medicine for gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Forty cases of gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis were randomized into an acupuncture group and a motilium group, 20 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, electroacupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) for 30 min, once a day. In the motilium group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, motilium was taken orally 30 min before meals, 10 mg each time, three times a day. The treatment was required for 2 weeks in both groups. The changes in the digestive tract symptom score and liver function Child-Pugh score were observed and the efficacy was assessed. RESULTS: The total effective rate of digestive tract symptoms was 85.0% (17/20) in the acupuncture group and 70.0% (14/20) in the motilium group. The score improvements in abdominal distention, belching and vomiting in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the motilium group (all P < 0.05). In the acupuncture group, the liver function Child-Pugh total score was 8.40 +/- 0.22 before treatment and reduced to 5.36 +/- 0.17 after treatment, in which the scores for ascites, serum bilirubin and albumin were all reduced (all P < 0.05) and the reducing range was increased in tendency with the improvements in digestive tract symptoms. In the motilium group, Child-Pugh score was not changed obviously as compared with that before treatment. CONCLUSION Acupuncture effectively alleviates digestive tract symptoms and improves liver function for the patients of liver cirrhosis, its efficacy on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis is superior to motilium.