Metformin and Gegen Qinlian Decoction boost islet α-cell proliferation of the STZ induced diabetic rats.

Background: The traditional Chinese medicine Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD), as well as metformin, had been reported with anti-diabetic effects in clinical practice.

Objective: To verify whether these two medicines effectively ameliorate hyperglycemia caused by deficiency of islet β-cell mass which occurs in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Methods: SD rats were injected with a single dose of STZ (55 mg/kg) to induce β-cell destruction. The rats were then divided into control, diabetes, GQD and metformin group. GQD and metformin groups were administered with GQD extract or metformin for 6 weeks. The islet α-cell or β-cell mass changes were tested by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining. The potential targets and mechanisms of GQD and metformin on cell proliferation were tested using in silico network pharmacology. Real-time PCR was performed to test the expression of islet cells related genes and targets related genes.

Results: Both GQD and metformin did not significantly reduce the FBG level caused by β-cell mass reduction, but alleviated liver and pancreas histopathology. Both GQD and metformin did not change the insulin positive cell mass but increased α-cell proliferation of the diabetic rats. Gene expression analysis showed that GQD and metformin significantly increased the targets gene cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) and insulin receptor substrate (Irs1) level.

Conclusion: This research indicates that GQD and metformin significantly increased the α-cell proliferation of β-cell deficiency induced diabetic rats by restoring Cdk4 and Irs1 gene expression.