In Medical Research, Improving Insulin Resistance

Background Insulin resistance as the risky factor of cardiovascular diseases is the key of metabolic syndrome. Early intervention of insulin resistantce has great significance to avoid the onset and development of cardiovascular diseases. As Chinese medicine study on insulin resistance is at the beginning stage, lacking the study and systematic knowledge of multiplicate single herbs on synchronized comparative screening towards insulin resistant.Objective By comparing the synchronized effect of 10 single herbs on dexamethasone(DX)- induced insulin resistant rat model, to rough screen the herbs that can effectively improve insulin resistantce, and to further evaluate the clinic effect on Semen Litchi improving insulin resistance.Methods 1. With the DX -induced insulin resistant rat model, fasting blood glucose(FBG), serum insulin, and index of insulin sensitivity (ISI) were observed after administration of the herbs of Radix Astragali, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis, Concha Haliotidis, Flos Chrysanthemi, Radix Trichosanthis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Cyathulae and Semen Litchi liquid. 2. FBG, 2-hours blood glucose(2hBG)after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum insulin and ISI were detected 4 weeks after Semen Litchi abstract and Metformin were given to patients with insulin resistance.Results 1. Fluids of Semen Litchi, Flos Chrysanthemi, Rhizoma Gastrodiae and Radix Trichosanthis could greatly raise ISI (P<0.05) and improve insulin resistance. Fluids of Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis, Concha Haliotidis, Radix Astragali and Rhizoma Dioscoreae could also greatly raise ISI (P<0.05), improve insulin resistance. And Semen Litchi, Flos Chrysanthemi, Rhizoma Gastrodiae are of great significance among these herbs. 2. After 4-week treatment, FBG, 2hBG and FINS were decreased conspicuously(P<0.05 or P<0.01) comparing with those before treatment, while ISI was increased remarkably (P<0.01). There was not obvious difference between Semen Litchi abstract and Metformin in improving insulin resistance (P>0.05).Conclusion Flos Chrysanthemi, Concha Haliotidis, Radix Trichosanthis, Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, and Rhizoma Gastrodiae can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance of the rat model. Semen Litchi can improve impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) of the patients with insulin resistance, sharing the same effect as small dosage of Metformin.