One-Way Intestinal Perfusion of PVP/VA-Poloxamer 188-Curcuma longa L. Extract Solid Dispersion in Rats In Vivo and Its Effect on HSC-T6 Cell Proliferation.

Turmeric was the dried rhizome of Curcuma longa L., and its extract had important pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor, cholagogic, and antioxidant. However, curcuma extract had poor water solubility and low bioavailability, which had become the main limiting factor for its clinical application. The purpose of this study was to prepare PVP/VA-Poloxamer-188-curcuma extract solid dispersion (PAP-CSD) to improve the solubility and bioavailability of the curcuma extract. The intestinal absorption mechanism of solid dispersion of this extract was studied by one-way intestinal perfusion in rats. PAP-CSD,PVP/VA-curcuma extract solid dispersion (PA-CSD) and Poloxamer-188-curcuma extract solid dispersion (P-CSD) was able to improve the intestinal absorption of the curcuma extract (P < 0.05), and PAP-CSD (combined use of two carriers) was better than that of PA-CSD and P-CSD. CCK8 method was used to investigate the effects of the curcuma extract and PAP-CSD on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC)-T6 cells. The inhibitory effect of PAP-CSD on the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells, related to the p38 MAPK pathway, was better than that of the curcuma extract.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacological Activities of Berberine in Diabetes Mellitus Treatment.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has good clinical application prospects in diabetes treatment. In addition, TCM is less toxic and/or has fewer side effects and provides various therapeutic effects. Berberine (BBR) is isolated as the main component in many TCM kinds (e.g., Rhizoma Coptidis and Berberidis Cortex). Furthermore, BBR can reduce blood sugar and blood fat, alleviate inflammation, and improve the state of patients. Based on the recent study results of BBR in diabetes treatment, the BBR pharmacokinetics and mechanism on diabetes are mainly studied, and the specific molecular mechanism of related experimental BBR is systematically summarized and analyzed. Clinical studies have proved that BBR has a good therapeutic effect on diabetes, suggesting that BBR may be a promising drug candidate for diabetes. More detailed BBR mechanisms and pathways of BBR need to be studied further in depth, which will help understand the BBR pharmacology in diabetes treatment.

Tibetan Medicines and Tibetan Prescriptions for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most serious diseases threatening human health and because of that, it is imperative to look for drugs to tackle it. The Tibetan medicine, a traditional medical system used in China, is currently being the focus of research towards the discovery of new effective drugs against several diseases. Based on the literature survey of Tibetan medicine monographs and drug standards, the Tibetan medicine, and Tibetan prescription used in the traditional Tibetan medical system, here, we summarise the methods indicated for DM treatment. In the Tibetan medical system, 56 types of Tibetan medicine and 25 Tibetan prescriptions were found for the treatment of DM. The most commonly used are Curcuma, Berberidis Cortex, and Carthami Flos. Their names, families, medicinal parts, phytochemical components, and pharmacological activities were described in detail in our research. These Tibetan medicines and prescriptions are valuable gifts from the Tibetan medicine to the world and may be the source of potential drugs for the treatment of DM. With the help of modern phytochemistry, pharmacology, metabonomics, and/or clinical trial methods, further research is needed to prove its medicinal value, identify bioactive components, elucidate potential mechanisms of action, and assess potential side effects or toxicity. This study provides the first available data compilation for the ethnic medical knowledge of Tibetan medicine for the treatment of DM, providing new ideas and sources for drugs against DM.