title: Anti-hyperglycemic effects and mechanism of Bidens pilosa water extract.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yi-Jou
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Tsung-Han
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Cicero Lee-Tian
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yuh-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wen-Chin
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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