title: Cortex Lycii Radicis extracts improve insulin resistance and lipid metabolism in obese-diabetic rats.
abstract: Here we evaluate the effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts from Cortex Lycii Radicis (CLR) on insulin resistance and lipid metabolism in obese-diabetic rats, which were induced by high fat feeding for 3 weeks after injection with streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetic rats treated with ethanol or aqueous extracts of CLR at 15 and 30 g/kg dosage for 7 weeks, had decreased body weights, concentration of serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), while the insulin-sensitivity index (ISI) improved significantly compared with the control group. In addition, high contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and low adiponectin level were observed in the control group and levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in CLR groups showed obvious differences with the control group. Histopathologic examination also showed degrees of hepatocyte edema although hepatocyte ballooning degeneration was lessened in all CLR groups. Overall, ethanol extract from CLR seemed to be more effective than aqueous extracts in improving insulin resistance, resulted in elevating insulin sensitivity, adjusting glucose and lipid metabolism, correcting cytokines levels and ameliorating liver function, especially protecting the liver against lipoid degeneration.
authors.affiliation: First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hai Xiang
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D032305:Lycium / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013311:Streptozocin; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase