To investigate the role and mechanism of Astragalus (AS) and saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) in treating type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy.

Effects of Astragalus and saponins of Panax notoginseng on MMP-9 in patients with type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy

Department of Endocrinology, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, China

To investigate the role and mechanism of Astragalus (AS) and saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) in treating type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy, 94 patients with type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy were divided into two groups randomly: group treated with Simvastatin and group treated with AS and PNS, compared with 40 healthy control subjects. Serum level of MMP-9 and lipid in patients and healthy subjects were measured before and after treatment. The serum levels of MMP-9, TG, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C in patients with type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy were improved, while the levels of HDL-C were decreased. Like Simvastatin AS and PNS had the function of reducing MMP-9 and accommodating lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: Besides accommodating lipid metabolism, AS and PNS can also reduce the level of serum MMP-9 soas to treat type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy.

Pharmacological sequential trials for the fractionation of components with hypoglycemic activity in alloxan diabetic mice from ginseng radix

Three methods of fractionation of ginseng radix (Panax ginseng C.A. MEYER) components for a survey of hypoglycemic principle in alloxan diabetic mice were conducted and three groups of hypoglycemic principle in alloxan diabetic mice were conducted and three groups of components tested; fat-soluble components, ginseng saponins and a third component with hypoglycemic activity. Pharmacological sequential trials of the fractionation yielded a most active fraction which was about 100-fold more effective than the original water-soluble extract of the ginseng radix. The ED50 value was 0.4 mg/kg in lowering the blood level of glucose in alloxan diabetic mice. It was demonstrated that some ginseng fractions inhibited epinephrine-induced transient hyperglycemia in mice, increased glycogen content in rat liver, decreased the blood level of acetone bodies in alloxan diabetic mice, and inhibited the release of free fatty acid from rat epididymal fat pad. The results showed that hypoglycemic components existed in a new component of ginseng radix which is different from saponin.

Not available

Some fractions extracted from ginseng radix (HAKUSAN) caused hypoglycemic effect on alloxan diabetic mice. The effect was abolished by the i.v. injection of antisera against bovine insulin. The same doses of the ginseng fraction (10--50 mg/kg) produced an increase in the blood insulin level in alloxan diabetic mice. Normal mice loaded i.p. with glucose (2 g/kg or more) showed also such an increase. Insulin release from perfused rat pancreases was stimulated by the ginseng fraction (0.2 mg/ml), but the potency was not stronger than that of the sulfonylureas. It was demonstrated that glucose-induced insulin release was marked in the presence of the ginseng fraction. Impaired insulin responses to glucose in alloxan diabetic rats were increased by the fraction (0.5 mg/ml) to or above the control responses in normal rats. The enhanced effect was observed also in the presence of 100 microgram/ml cycloheximide. These results indicate that some ginseng fractions stimulated insulin release, especially glucose-induced insulin release from pancreatic islets and thereby lowered the blood glucose level.

Efficacy of ginseng drugs in experimental insulin-dependent diabetes and toxic hepatitis

Drugs obtained from the roots and leaves of plantation ginseng and ginseng root tissue culture displayed a high antidiabetic and hepatoprotective activity in experiments on mice and rats. In alloxan diabetes these adaptogenic phyto-agents prevented alloxan-induced activation of processes of lipid peroxidation in the pancreas and demonstrated definite insulinogenic properties: they increased the basal content of insulin in blood and the glucose-dependent secretion of this hormone. In CCl4 acute toxic hepatitis the studies ginseng drugs reduced the disorders of hepatic detoxification and glycogen-synthesizing functions.

To study the effect of ginseng on antiperoxidation in myocardium and erythrocytes of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats

Effect of ginseng on antiperoxidate injury in myocardium and erythrocytes in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats

We have investigated the effect of ginseng on antiperoxidation in myocardium and erythrocytes of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. In the group of ginseng administration (ginseng solution 0.2g/200g/day, lasting 15-16 days), there was a significant decrease in the level of fasting blood-glucose and lipid peroxide (LPO) in myocardium and erythrocytes, in comparing with that of model group, P < 0.05. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in myocardium and erythrocytes in group of ginseng administration was increased, P < 0.05, compared with that of model group and vitamin E treatment group. The mechanisms of antiperoxidation effect of ginseng might include the following: 1) By lowering the level of fasting blood-glucose, decreasing the rate of monosaccharide auto-oxidation and partially protecting the production of free radicals; 2) Elevating the activity of enzymatic free radicals scavenger in cells, such as SOD; 3) directly eliminating the superfluous free radicals.

In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, 36 NIDDM patients were treated for 8 weeks with ginseng (100 or 200 mg) or placebo. Efficacy was evaluated with psychophysical tests and measurements of glucose balance, serum lipids, aminoterminalpropeptide (PIIINP) concentration, and body weight. RESULTS: Ginseng therapy elevated mood, improved psychophysical performance, and reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight. The 200-mg dose of ginseng improved glycated hemoglobin, serum PIIINP, and physical activity. Placebo reduced body weight and altered the serum lipid profile but did not alter FBG. CONCLUSIONS: Ginseng may be a useful therapeutic adjunct in the management of NIDDM.

The antihyperglycaemic blend effect of traditional chinese medicine byakko-ka-ninjin-to on alloxan and diabetic KK-CA(y) mice

The antihyperglycaemic interaction (blend effect) of component crude drugs included in a traditional Chinese prescription, Byakko-ka-ninjin-to (BN; consisted of five crude drugs, ginseng, anemarrhena,-licorice, gypsum and rice) was investigated using genetically obese diabetic KK-CA(y) mice and alloxan-diabetic mice. The water extract of ginseng, anemarrhena, licorice and gypsum when individually tested markedly lowered blood glucose levels in diabetic animals. Antihyperglycaemic effects of ginseng-anemarrhena and ginseng-licorice combinations were decreased compared with the respective individual-effects. Such decreased effects were partially reversed by adding gypsum or by substituting CaCl(2) for gypsum. The combination of D-O-ANa and glycyrrhizin, respectively the main constituents from ginseng and licorice, also demonstrated a decreased effect compared with the respective individual effects. The CaCl(2) at 0.5 mg/kg (i.p.) was sufficient to partially reverse these effects. These results indicate that antihyperglycaemic effects of BN depend on four crude drugs and Ca(2+) in the blend.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, St. Michael's Hospital, Ontario, Canada. v.vuksan@utoronto.ca

Despite a lack of medical evidence to support its therapeutic efficacy, the use of herbal medicine has increased considerably. Ginseng, one of the most widely used herbs, is hypothesized to play a role in carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes mellitus. We therefore undertook a preliminary short-term clinical study to assess whether American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) affects postprandial glycemia in humans. On 4 separate occasions, 10 nondiabetic subjects (mean [+/-SD] age, 34+/-7 years; mean [+/-SD] body mass index [BMI], 25.6 +/- 3 kg/m2) and 9 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean [+/-SD] age, 62 +/- 7 years; mean [+/-SD] BMI, 29 +/- 5 kg/m2; mean [+/-SD] glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, 0.08+/-0.005) were randomized to receive 3-g ginseng or placebo capsules, either 40 minutes before or together with a 25-g oral glucose challenge. The placebo capsules contained com flour, in which the quantity of carbohydrate and appearance matched the ginseng capsules. A capillary blood sample was taken fasting and then at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 (only for subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus ) minutes after the glucose challenge. In nondiabetic subjects, no differences were found in postprandial glycemia between placebo and ginseng when administered together with the glucose challenge. When ginseng was taken 40 minutes before the glucose challenge, significant reductions were observed (P<.05). In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the same was true whether capsules were taken before or together with the glucose challenge (P<.05). Reductions in area under the glycemic curve were 18%+/-31% for nondiabetic subjects and 19+/-22% and 22+/-17% for subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus administered before or together with the glucose challenge, respectively. American ginseng attenuated postprandial glycemia in both study groups. For nondiabetic subjects, to prevent unintended hypoglycemia it may be important that the American ginseng be taken with the meal.

Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Wong J, Xu Z, Beljan-Zdravkovic U, Arnason JT, Assinewe V, Stavro MP, Jenkins AL, Leiter LA, Francis T

Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto. v.vuksan@utornto.ca

We previously showed that 3 g American ginseng administered 40 min before an oral glucose challenge significantly reduces postprandial glycemia in subjects without diabetes. Whether this effect can be replicated with doses <3 g and administration times closer to the oral glucose challenge is unclear. Our objective was to study the dosing and timing effects of American ginseng on postprandial glycemia. In a random crossover design, 12 healthy individuals [X +/- SEM age: 42 +/- 7 y; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) 24.1 +/- 1.1] received 16 treatments: 0 (placebo), 1, 2, or 3 g American ginseng at 40, 20, 10, or 0 min before a 25-g oral glucose challenge. Capillary blood was collected before administration and at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 min after the start of the glucose challenge. Two-way analysis of variance showed that the main effects of treatment and administration time were significant (P < 0.05). Glycemia was lower over the last 45 min of the test after doses of 1, 2, or 3 g ginseng than after placebo (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences between doses. The reductions in the areas under the curve for these 3 doses were 14.4 +/- 6.5%, 10.6 +/- 4.0%, and 9.1 +/- 6%, respectively. Glycemia in the last hour of the test and area under the curve were significantly lower when ginseng was administered 40 min before the challenge than when it was administered 20, 10, or 0 min before the challenge (P < 0.05).  American ginseng reduced postprandial glycemia in subjects without diabetes. These reductions were time dependent but not dose dependent: an effect was seen only when the ginseng was administered 40 min before the challenge. Doses within the range of 1-3 g were equally effective.