Meilian Xiaoke capsule combined with metformin for protecting islet cells and lowering blood glucose in diabetic rats.
- Author:
Chen HU
1
;
Shiqing ZHANG
;
Xiaoyan JIN
;
Li TONG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Blood Glucose; drug effects; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; drug therapy; Drug Synergism; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; pharmacology; Hypoglycemic Agents; pharmacology; Insulin-Secreting Cells; pathology; Metformin; pharmacology; Rats; Streptozocin
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2014;34(9):1365-1369
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Meilian Xiaoke capsule (a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation) combined with metformin for protecting islet cells and lowering blood glucose in diabetic rats.
METHODSRat models with type 2 diabetes, established by high-fat and high-glucose diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection, were treated with a low dose of metformin, Meilian Xiaoke capsule, or both for 4 weeks by gavage. Blood glucose level was tested in the rats, and islet pathologies and changes in islet β cell number after the treatment were observed with HE staining and aldehyde fuchsin staining, respectively.
RESULTSTreatment with metformin or Meilian Xiaoke capsule alone for 2 or 4 weeks did not produce significant improvement of blood glucose in the diabetic rats. Their combined treatment for 4 weeks resulted in significantly lowered blood glucose level and improved glucose tolerance with also obviously increased islet β cell number and lessened islet pathologies.
CONCLUSIONSMeilian Xiaoke capsule and metformin show a synergistic effect to significantly enhance the therapeutic effect in rats with type 2 diabetes.
