Effect of Dachaihu decoction on traditional Chinese medicine-related indices of Type 2 diabetes in rats, and elucidation of its mechanism of action

Abstract

Purpose: To study the influence of Dachaihu decoction on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-related indices of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rats, and the likely mechanism involved.
 Methods: Forty-five healthy male SD rats were randomly selected and used to establish T2DM rat model. The rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: control, model and Dachaihu decoction groups (n = 15). Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc), free fatty acids (FFAs), total cholesterol (TC) and oxidative stress were measured. Pathological changes in rats in each group were monitored, and mRNA levels of PDX-1 and MaFA in pancreatic tissue were measured.
 Results: The levels of FBG, HbAlc, FFA, TC, MDA and ROS in the Dachaihu decoction group were significantly decreased, while SOD, PDX-1 mRNA and MafA mRNA were markedly raised, relative to control (p < 0.05). In the Dachaihu decoction group, the rats had pink paws; their noses and tongues were glossy and moist, and there was more physical activity, relative to model rats (p < 0.05).
 Conclusion: These results indicate that Dachaihu decoction is effective against T2DM in rats. The mechanisms of action may be by inhibition of oxidative stress, improvement of the function of islet beta cells, and mitigation of symptoms of fatigue and dehydration. Therefore, Dachaihu decoction may be useful for adjuvant treatment of TCM-T2DM but clinical studies are required to ascertain this.