Antidiabetic effect of ligustilide-rich total lactones derived from Shunaoxin dropping pills on mice with type 2 diabetes induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin

Abstract

Shunaoxin dropping pill, a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, has been used to treat cerebrovascular diseases in China since 2005. It is composed of two herbs named Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, Umbelliferae) and Danggui (Angelica sinensis radix, Umbelliferae). It has been reported that these two herbs have anti-diabetic activities. Phenolic acids and lactones are the main active components in Chuanxiong and Danggui. Ferulic acid and ligustilide are the representative compounds of phenolic acids and lactones, respectively. Previous study has documented the hypoglycemic activity of ferulic acid. However, the anti-diabetic activities of total lactones from Chuanxiong and Danggui or ligustilide have not been well studied. Therefore, the present study was designed to demonstrate the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of ligustilide-rich total lactones (LT) from Shunaoxin dropping pills in vivo, thereby elucidating its probable antidiabetic mechanism. The present results showed that after 3 weeks of treating with LT, the blood glucose levels were significantly reduced in diabetic mice, and the oral glucose tolerance test showed that LT could improve glucose tolerance. The serum insulin concentration was also dramatically reduced. In addition, there was a marked decline in the serum levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C in mice treated with LT. In addition, the serum level of HDL-C was enhanced to a certain degree in diabetic mice treated with LT. In the histopathological examination of the mouse pancreas, LT showed significant protection of the pancreas in diabetic mice. The results provide a sound rationale for future clinical trials of the oral administration of LT for the primary prevention of diabetes mellitus.