OBJECTIVETo compare the roles of alisma and gliclazide in the treatment of diabetes in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats.

METHODSGK rats were randomly divided into alisma group, gliclazide group, and blank group, and Wistar rats were used as the normal group. After two weeks of treatment, body weight, food intake,fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and other indicators were measured.

RESULTSThe body weight increased after the treatment in the normal group,blank group,and gliclazide group [(241.3 ± 7.0)g vs.(263.5 ± 11.1)g, (242.8 ± 7.1)g vs.(267.9 ± 16.8)g, (243.9 ± 12.2)g vs.(277.9 ± 9.8)g, P<0.05] but decreased in alisma group [(244.6 ± 9.2)g vs.(227.9 ± 13.7)g, P<0.05]. The food intake showed no significant change before and after administration among different groups(P>0.05). Fasting glucose was significantly lower in normal group than in control group,alisma group,and gliclazide group [(4.8 ± 0.2) mmol/L vs.(8.2 ± 1.4) mmol/L,(8.1 ± 0.6) mmol/L, (8.1 ± 0.9)mmol/L, P<0.05] one week after drug administration; it was not significantly different among blank group,alisma group,and gliclazide group before drug administration (P>0.05); however, it significantly decreased in alisma group and gliclazide group two weeks after administration [(6.9 ± 0.7) mmol/L vs.(8.1 ± 0.6) mmol/L; (5.8 ± 0.5) mmol/L vs.(8.1 ± 0.9) mmol/L, P<0.05]; compared with the blank group, the fasting glucose was significantly lower in the alisma group and gliclazide group,and it was also significantly different between these two groups [(6.9 ± 0.7) mmol/L vs.(8.8 ± 0.6) mmol/L,(5.8 ± 0.5)mmol/L vs.(8.8 ± 0.6)mmol/L, (6.9 ± 0.7) mmol/L vs.(5.8 ± 0.5)mmol/L, P<0.05]. Compared with the normal group,glucose tolerance was abnormal in blank group,alisma group,and gliclazide group;after two weeks of treatment,glucose tolerance was significantly improved in alisma group (P<0.05); compared with the pretreatment level and that in the blank group,the glucose tolerance in gliclazide group showed no significant difference (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth alisma and gliclazide monotherapy is effective in lowering fasting blood glucose. As a single-target drug,gliclazide has stronger effecacy in lowering fasting glucose. However, alisma, as a mixture, can also control weight and improve glucose intolerance.