Effect of sugar-free Qishan granules on glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in a rat model of prediabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Qishan granules (TCM Qishan) on glucose and lipid metabolism, plasma adiponectin, and insulin resistance (IR) in a rat model of prediabetes.

METHODS

A prediabetic rat model was established by high-fat diet-feeding. Sugar-free Qishan granules, rosiglitazone, or no treatment were then administered for 10 weeks, after which body mass, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting insulin (FINS), 2-h postprandial insulin (2hINS), plasma adiponectin (APN), plasma lipids, and free fatty acids (FFA), and liver pathology, were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean mass of the rats treated with various doses of TCM Qishan was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that of the prediabetic control rats, and that of the rats treated with a high dose of TCM Qishan was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that of those treated with rosiglitazone. Metabolic indexes and IR were similarly improved by TCM Qishan and rosiglitazone treatment, with FBG, 2hPG, HbA1c, FINS, 2hINS, plasma triglyceride (TG), and FFA levels being significantly lower (P < 0.01), and APN concentration being significantly higher, in both of these treatment groups, than those of the prediabetic control group. The plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations of the treatment groups were also significantly lower (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) than those of the prediabetic control group, but there were no significant differences in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations. A high dose of TCM Qishan was slightly more effective than rosiglitazone at reducing TG concentration. The prediabetic control rats demonstrated severe hepatic steatosis, and the high dose of TCM Qishan significantly ameliorated this.

CONCLUSION

TCM Qishan significantly reduces weight gain, ameliorates defects in glucose and lipid metabolism, and increases insulin sensitivity and plasma APN concentration in prediabetic rats. The effect of TCM Qishan on body mass was superior to that of rosiglitazone, and its other effects were of similar magnitude.