Abstract
Mai Tong Fang (MTF), a Chinese herbal combination, has been used for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in traditional medical clinics in China. However, the anti-adipogenic and anti-hyperglycemic effects of MTF have not been fully elucidated, so this study explored these pharmacological activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and ob/ob mice, respectively, of the water fraction of milkvetch root, salviae miltiorrhizae and mulberry as key components of MTF. MTF was found to inhibit adipogenesis and triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oral administration of MTF in ob/ob mice for 8 weeks, exhibited positive controls on blood glucose and body weight, and further improved glucose tolerance according to an oral glucose tolerance test. Importantly, MTF extract alleviated fat deposition and ballooning degeneration in liver tissue and blocked the increase of adipocyte size in adipose tissue from treated ob/ob mice. These results indicated that the extract of key components in the traditional Chinese prescription MTF continue a potent anti-adipogenic and glucose-lowering agent.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, progressive, incurable metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to defective insulin action, insulin secretion or both [1]
The anti-adipogenic and anti-hyperglycemic effects of the extract of milkvetch root, salviae miltiorrhizae and mulberry (MTF) have not been fully elucidated, so this study explored these pharmacological activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and animal model of type II
There was no significant difference compared to vehicle, Mai Tong Fang (MTF) slightly modulated the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and the results were in accordance with the level of TG and total cholesterol (TC)
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, progressive, incurable metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to defective insulin action, insulin secretion or both [1]. With the total number of diabetics projected to rise from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030 [7], DM has become a serious problem which is threatening world public health [8], various methods for the treatment of DM have been developed to maintain normal blood glucose or insulin levels. Several drugs, including insulin, tolbutamide, and metformin, are commonly used in the clinic to treat diabetes, and the majority are chemical agents [9]. Several of these chemical drugs have unacceptable side effects in some patients. Numerous Chinese herbs have been used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes [10], including milkvetch root, salviae miltiorrhizae, and mulberry, which are key components of a Chinese herbal combination called Mai Tong Fang (MTF, Table 1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
