A refined-JinQi-JiangTang tablet ameliorates prediabetes by reducing insulin resistance and improving beta cell function in mice.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Refined-JQ (JQ-R) is a mixture of refined extracts from three major herbal components of JinQi-JiangTang tablet: Coptis chinensis (Ranunculaceae), Astragalus membranaceus (Leguminosae), and Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae). Our previous studies have indicated that JQ-R could decrease fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic mice and insulin resistance mice. Investigating the hypoglycemic effect of JQ-R on prediabetes has practical application value for preventing or delaying insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance and possibly the development of clinical diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The anti-diabetic potential of JQ-R was investigated using a high fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model. C57BL/6J mice (HFD-C57 mice) were fed with high-fat diet for 4 months. HFD-C57 mice were treated with either JQ-R (administered intragastrically once daily for 4 weeks) or metformin (as positive control), and the effects of JQ-R on body weight, blood lipids, glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and beta cell function were monitored.

RESULTS:

The body weight, serum cholesterol, and the Homeostasis Model Assessment ratio (insulin resistance index) were significantly reduced in JQ-R or metformin-treated mice, and the glucose tolerance was enhanced and insulin response was improved simultaneously. Moreover, both JQ-R and metformin could activate liver glycogen syntheses even under a relatively high glucose loading. Although glyconeogenesis was inhibited in the metformin treated mice, it was not observed in JQ-R treated mice. Similar to metformin, JQ-R could also improve the glucose infusion rate (GIR) in hyperglycemic clamp test. JQ-R was also shown to increase the levels of phosphorylated AMPKα and phosphorylated acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), similar to metformin.

CONCLUSION:

JQ-R could reduce HFD-induced insulin resistance by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, increasing insulin sensitivity through activating the AMPK signaling pathway, and subsequently improving β cell function. Therefore, JQ-R may offer an alternative in treating disorders associated with insulin resistance, such as prediabetes and T2DM.

• Authors: Li-hui Gao, Quan Liu, Shuai-nan Liu, Zhi-yu Chen, Cai-na Li, Lei Lei, Su-juan Sun, Lin-yi Li, Jing-long Liu, Zhu-fang Shen
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 151 Issue 1 Pg. 675-85 ( 2014) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 24286962 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Dietary Fats
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Hypoglycemic Agents
• jinqi jiantang

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Glucose
• Dietary Fats
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Hypoglycemic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Insulin Resistance
• Insulin-Secreting Cells (drug effects)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Prediabetic State (prevention & control)
• Weight-Bearing