Gentianella turkestanorum (Gand.) Holub, a Chinese Herbal Medicine that can Alleviate T2DM in Db/db Mice, and its Active Mechanism of Action

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on a global scale has created a pressing demand for novel treatments. Gentianella turkestanorum (Gand.) Holub, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been found to possess hypoglycemic effects. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear. This study was to investigate the impact and mechanism of G. turkestanorum’s water extract (WEG) in reducing insulin resistance (IR) in T2DM. Db/db mice were administered WEG for 8 weeks, during which their body weight, blood glucose (BG), oral glucose tolerance test, islet tolerance test, fasting insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein were monitored. Additionally, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in db/db mice were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study also evaluated the impact of WEG on liver injury through hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression levels of key proteins and genes in both insulin signaling and inflammation-related pathways were detected using western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. WEG has the potential to regulate glycolipid metabolism, reduce inflammation, and alleviate IR. The mechanism of action may involve promoting the insulin signaling pathway and inhibiting inflammation. Gentianella turkestanorum could be a viable treatment option for T2DM and IR.