Mulberroside A from Cortex Mori Enhanced Gut Integrity in Diabetes

Background. Diabetic endotoxemia has been recognized as one of the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent findings suggest that gut leak plays a pivotal role in diabetic endotoxemia. Cortex Mori (CM) has been widely applied in China to ameliorate development of T2DM, but its effect on endotoxemia is unknown. Methods. The study was constructed with two parts: (1) in vivo study of CM on diabetic endotoxemia in db/db mice. Eight C57BL/6 mice were set as normal control; (2) in vitro study of mulberroside A (MBA) from CM on diabetic endotoxemia. Potential mechanism of MBA on ameliorating diabetic endotoxemia was also explored. Results. The present study found that CM water extract decreased levels of blood glucose, ameliorated liver and renal damage in db/db mice, and ameliorated diabetic endotoxemia ( p < 0.01 ). We also found that the water extract enhanced gut integrity and decreased gut inflammatory protein ICAM-1 expression in db/db mice as detected by H&E staining and immunohistochemistry methods. In the in vitro study, MBA decreased levels of MDA and ROS induced by LPS ( p < 0.01 ) and enhanced the integrity of gut epithelial barrier ( p < 0.01 ). Conclusions. We found that Cortex Mori and its active component mulberroside A could ameliorate diabetic endotoxemia by preserving gut integrity.

Efficacy of Cortex Mori–Liuwei Dihuang Nanoparticle Pills on Renal Interstitial Fibrosis via TGF-β/Smad Signaling

Cortex Mori and Liuwei Dihuang nanoparticle pills nourish Qi and Yin; clear heat; treat diabetes; and promote body fluids, kidney toning, and astringent functions. These are herbal treatments associated with the mechanisms involved in nephrosis, such as the promotion of insulin secretion and enhancement of glucose use in the body via the cooked land, Cornus, or Poria. Ling and yam reduce blood sugar. Alisma orientalis and peony bark inhibit fat accumulation and blood coagulation and also show antithrombotic action. This study investigated the effects of Cortex Mori and Liuwei Dihuang nanoparticle pills on renal interstitial fibrosis and the TGF-β1/Smads signaling in adenineinduced Wistar rats with renal interstitial fibrosis. The expression of TGF-β1and Smad-2/3 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The tested nanoparticle pills significantly reduced the area of renal interstitial fibrosis in treated rats compared with that in control rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the pills significantly reduced the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in renal tissue of treated rats compared with that in the renal of control rats. Thus, Cortex Mori–Liuwei Dihuang nanoparticle pills may affect the mechanism that delays renal interstitial fibrosis via reducing the protein expression of Smad-2/3 and TGF-β1 and inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad singling.