ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the synergistic effect of Qilian decoction (QLD) with corresponding hypoglycemic agents on insulin sensitivity in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and its influence on related inflammatory cytokines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-two patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 were selected and randomly divided into two groups, they were treated with hypoglycemic agent in routine, and QLD was given orally, one dose taken in twice a day. Parameters as fasting blood glucose, insulin, peptide C, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured before and after treatment, and insulin sensitive index (ISI) was also calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of fasting blood glucose lowered after treatment in both groups (P<0.01); levels of fasting insulin, peptide C, ISI, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and CRP significantly lowered after treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the effect was better than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QLD could improve the insulin resistance and lower the levels of related inflammatory cytokines.</p>