Metformin Attenuates Liver Fat Content: Finding from Schizophrenia Patients with Olanzapine-induced Weight Gain.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of metformin on liver fat content (LFC) in first episode schizophrenia patients with olanzapine-induced weight gain, and the relationship between the change of LFC and the other metabolic indices. METHODS: In a double-blind study, the clinically stable inpatients with first-episode schizophrenia under olanzapine monotherapy who gained more than 7% of their baseline weight were randomly assigned to two groups; one with olanzapine plus metformin (1,000 mg/day) (metformin group) and the other with olanzapine plus placebo (placebo group) for 16 weeks. All patients continued to maintain the original olanzapine dosage. LFC was measured by magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and at the end of 16 weeks, respectively. At the same time, glucose and lipid metabolism, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were measured respectively, analyzing the correlation between the change value of LFC and other indicators. RESULTS: Over the 16-week study period, LFC value in metformin group decreased compared with baseline. LFC change across the 16-week treatment period was -2.91% for the metformin group and 0.59% for the placebo group, with a between-group difference of -3.5% (95% confidence interval, -6.08 to -0.93; p = 0.009). Compared to baseline, in the metformin group, triglyceride and HOMA-IR reduced significantly, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly at weeks 16. There was positive correlation between LFC changes and triglycerides, HOMA-IR changes significantly. CONCLUSION: Metformin can significantly attenuate LFC in schizophrenia patients with olanzapine-induced weight gain. It may be related to the improvement of the part of the glucolipid metabolic indices.

Chemical constituents of Trachelospermum jasminoides.

Ten compounds, comprising a new C(8) normonoterpenoid glycoside, trachelinoside (1), structurally as 4-(2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-hydroxyethyl-5,5-dimethyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one, together with nine known compounds, were isolated from the 85% ethanol extract of the vines and leaves of Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem.

[Study on the flavonoids constituents of Trachelospermum jasminoides].

OBJECTIVE: To study the flavonoids constituents of Trachelospemum jasminoides. METHODS: The compounds were separated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, and identified by IR, MS, NMR and 2D-NMR. RESULTS: Six flavonoids were identified as apigenin (I), apigenin 7-O-beta-glucoside (II), apigenin 7-O-beta-neospheroside (III), luteoloside (IV), narngin (V) 6,8-di-C-glucopyanosylapigenin (VI), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds V and VI are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Lignans from Trachelospermum jasminoides.

Seven lignans having a diarylhydroxybutyrolactone skeleton were isolated from the leaves and stems of Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem. Their structures were elucidated to be nortrachelogenin 8' -O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), nortrachelogenin 5'- C- beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), trachelogenin amide (3), nortracheloside, trachelogenin, tracheloside, and trachelogenin 4'- O- beta-gentiobioside, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Lignans 1 - 3 were structurally identified to be new compounds, and 2 was a rare C-glucosyl-lignan.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Ervatamia hainanensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Ervatamia hainanensis. METHOD: The compounds were separated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, and identified by IR, MS, NMR and 2D-NMR. RESULT: Five compounds were identified as I (isolariciresinol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside), II (cycloartenol), III (beta-amyrin acetate), IV (beta-sitosterol), V (daucosterol), respectively. CONCLUSION: All the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on liver-toxicity in rhigoma of Dioscorea bulbifera].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the liver-toxic fraction in Rhigoma of Dioscorea bulbifera. METHOD: The rats were randomized into four groups: control group (20% PVP-water), T001(10% total methanol extraction), F002(5% chloroform fraction) and F003(5% methanol fraction). Direct bilirubin (DBil) and Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were examined, and liver index was measured. The histological and morphological observations were performed with optical and electrical microscope. RESULT: T001 and F002 showed significant liver toxicity. CONCLUSION: The chloroform fraction was the liver-toxic fraction of D. bulbifera.