A TCM herbal decoction prevents cognitive loss associated with diabetes

Researchers from China have validated the traditional use of Huang Lian Wen Dan in treating complications associated with diabetes. The results of the study were published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines.

• In traditional Chinese medicine, Huang Lian Wen Dan is used to treat “Re,” a causative factor in metabolic disorder and diabetes.
• The team investigated the ability of Huang Lian Wen Dan to protect the cerebrum against diabetic encephalopathy.
• Huang Lian Wen Dan decoction was compared with metformin to assess its efficacy. In addition, rats were treated with streptozocin and a high-glucose fat diet to induce diabetic encephalopathy.
• The rats were treated with Huang Lian Wen Dan and its effects on the animals’ cognitive functions were studied for 30 days.
• Researchers looked at changes in neuronal damages, inflammatory cytokines, and impaired insulin signaling pathway in the hippocampus of rats with diabetic encephalopathy.

From the findings, the team concluded that Huang Lian Wen Dan had cerebral protective effects.

Learn more about diabetic encephalopathy, as well as natural ways of treating it, at DiabetesScienceNews.com.

Journal Reference:

Li YB, Zhang WH, Liu HD, Liu Z, Ma SP. PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF HUANGLIAN WENDAN DECOCTION AGAINST COGNITIVE DEFICITS AND NEURONAL DAMAGES IN RATS WITH DIABETIC ENCEPHALOPATHY BY INHIBITING THE RELEASE OF INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES AND REPAIRING INSULIN SIGNALING PATHWAY IN HIPPOCAMPUS. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines. November 2016;14(11):813–822. DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(16)30098-X