Anti-hyperglycemic effects and mechanism of Bidens pilosa water extract.
OBJECTIVE
Bidens pilosa has traditionally been used as an anti-diabetic phytomedicine. However, its alleged benefits and mechanism remain elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effect and action of Bidens pilosa water extract on type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
A daily dose of Bidens pilosa water extract or glimepiride, a positive control, was given orally to C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice once or for 28 days. Levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobulin A1C, glucose tolerance, and islet structure were used to evaluate its anti-diabetic effects in db/db mice. Rat pancreatic islets and streptozocin-treated mice were tested for insulin-releasing mechanism of Bidens pilosa water extract.


RESULTS
A daily dose of Bidens pilosa water extract given once or for 28 days significantly decreased blood glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels in db/db mice. Besides, 28-day treatment with Bidens pilosa water extract significantly improved glucose tolerance, decreased HbA1C levels and protected islet structure in db/db mice. Mechanism study showed that Bidens pilosa water extract stimulated insulin secretion via pancreatic islets.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that Bidens pilosa water extract ameliorates type 2 diabetes in db/db mice via regulation of insulin secretion and islet protection.
Hsu
Yi-Jou
YJ
Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, ROC.
Lee
Tsung-Han
TH
Chang
Cicero Lee-Tian
CL
Huang
Yuh-Ting
YT
Yang
Wen-Chin
WC
D000818:Animals; D031176:Bidens; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; C442780:plant extract, Bidens pilosa; C057619:glimepiride