Comparison of the Effects of Acarbose and TZQ-F, a New Kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Diabetes, Chinese Healthy Volunteers

• Published in: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.1-9
• Main Authors: Baohe, Wang, Gao, Xiumei, Deqin, Zhang, Jinxia, Sun, Shirong, Liu, Liu, Yang, Ziqiang, Li, Yu, Liu, Yanfen, Li, Wenxu, Fu, Yuhong, Huang, Na, Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acarbose; Chinese medicine; Diabetes mellitus; Glucose; Herbal medicine; Insulin; Insulin resistance; Intestine; Meals; Salvia miltiorrhiza; Tablets; Traditional Chinese medicine
• ISSN: 1741-427X; 1741-4288
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/308126

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. TZQ-F has been traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a formula for the treatment of diabetes. Aim of the Study. This study aims to compare the pharmacologic effects and gastrointestinal adverse events between TZQ-F and acarbose. Methods. The double-blind randomized placebo-controlled fivefold crossover study was performed in 20 healthy male volunteers. Plasma glucose, plasma IRI, and plasma C-peptide were measured to assess the pharmacologic effects. Flatus and bowel activity were measured to assess the adverse event of gastrointestinal effect. Results. 3 and 4 tablets of TZQ decreased the Cmax of plasma glucose compared with that of the previous day and with placebo. 3 tablets also decreased Cmax of plasma C-peptide compared with placebo. 4 tablets increased Cmax of plasma insulin after breakfast and the AUC of plasma C-peptide after breakfast and dinner. 2 tablets did not decrease plasma glucose and elevated the Cmax and AUC of C-peptide after breakfast and dinner, respectively. Acarbose 50 mg decreased the Cmax of plasma insulin and C-peptide after breakfast and the Cmax of plasma glucose and C-peptide after dinner. The subjects who received TZQ did not report any abdominal adverse events. Conclusions. 3 tablets of TZQ have the same effects as the acarbose.