Jinlida Granules Reduce Obesity in db/db Mice by Activating Beige Adipocytes

Translational Research and Clinical Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cardiovascular Diseases

Luobing theory is based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and focuses on the regulation of blood circulation. The translation of Luobing theory into clinical practice has shown promising results in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Studies have reported the benefits of using Luobing theory in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, and heart failure. This review article provides an overview of the evidence-based application of TCM Luobing theory in the treatment of CVDs. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities of translating TCM into clinical practice and provides valuable insights for future CVD research.

Jinlida for Diabetes Prevention in Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Multiple Metabolic Abnormalities: The FOCUS Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Previous studies have shown that Jinlida (JLD) granules, an approved treatment for type 2 diabetes in China, can reduce blood glucose level, reduce glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and improve insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of long-term administration of JLD vs placebo on the incidence of diabetes in participants with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and multiple metabolic abnormalities.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial (FOCUS) was conducted across 35 centers in 21 cities in China from June 2019 to February 2023. Individuals aged 18 to 70 years with IGT and multiple metabolic abnormalities were enrolled.

Intervention

Participants were randomly allocated 1:1 to receive JLD or placebo (9 g, 3 times per day, orally). They continued this regimen until they developed diabetes, withdrew from the study, were lost to follow-up, or died.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the occurrence of diabetes, which was determined by 2 consecutive oral glucose tolerance tests. Secondary outcomes included waist circumference; fasting and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose levels; HbA1c; fasting insulin level; homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels; ankle-brachial index; and carotid intima-media thickness.

Results

A total of 889 participants were randomized, of whom 885 were in the full analysis set (442 in the JLD group; 443 in the placebo group; mean [SD] age, 52.57 [10.33] years; 463 [52.32%] female). Following a median observation period of 2.20 years (IQR, 1.27-2.64 years), participants in the JLD group had a lower risk of developing diabetes compared with those in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.46-0.74; P < .001). During the follow-up period, the JLD group had a between-group difference of 0.95 cm (95% CI, 0.36-1.55 cm) in waist circumference, 9.2 mg/dL (95% CI, 5.4-13.0 mg/dL) in 2-hour postprandial blood glucose level, 3.8 mg/dL (95% CI, 2.2-5.6 mg/dL) in fasting blood glucose level, 0.20% (95% CI, 0.13%-0.27%) in HbA1c, 6.6 mg/dL (95% CI, 1.9-11.2) in total cholesterol level, 4.3 mg/dL (95% CI, 0.8-7.7 mg/dL) in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, 25.7 mg/dL (95% CI, 15.9-35.4 mg/dL) in triglyceride levels, and 0.47 (95% CI, 0.12-0.83) in HOMA-IR compared with the placebo group. After 24 months of follow-up, the JLD group had a significant improvement in ankle-brachial index and waist circumference compared with the placebo group.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings suggest that JLD can reduce the risk of diabetes in participants with IGT and multiple metabolic abnormalities.

Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Register: ChiCTR1900023241.

Jinlida granules combined with metformin improved the standard-reaching rate of blood glucose and clinical symptoms of patients with type 2 diabetes: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Background

Previous studies found that Jinlida granules could significantly reduce blood glucose levels and enhance the low-glucose action of metformin. However, the role of Jinlida in the standard-reaching rate of blood glucose and improving clinical symptoms has yet to be studied. We aimed to elaborate on the efficacy of Jinlida in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients who experience clinical symptoms based on secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Data were analyzed from a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled study of Jinlida. The standard-reaching rate of blood glucose, the symptom disappearance rate, the symptom improvement rate, the efficacy of single symptoms, and the total symptom score were evaluated. The correlation between HbA1c and the improvement of clinical symptoms was analyzed.

Results

For 12 weeks straight, 192 T2D patients were randomly assigned to receive either Jinlida or a placebo. The treatment group showed statistically significant differences in the standard-reaching rate of HbA1c < 6.5% (p = 0.046) and 2hPG (< 10 mmol/L, 11.1 mmol/L) (p < 0.001), compared with the control group. The standard-reaching rate of HbA1c < 7% (p = 0.06) and FBG < 7.0 mmol/L (p = 0.079) were not significantly different between the treatment and control groups. Five symptoms exhibited a statistical difference in symptom disappearance rate (p < 0.05). All the symptoms exhibited a significant difference in symptom improvement rate (p < 0.05). The mean change in total symptom score from baseline to week 12 was -5.45 ± 3.98 in the treatment group and -2.38 ± 3.11 in the control group, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were noted between symptom improvement and HbA1c after 12 weeks of continuous intervention with Jinlida granules or placebo.

Conclusion

Jinlida granules can effectively improve the standard-reaching rate of blood glucose and clinical symptoms of T2D patients, including thirst, fatigue, increased eating with rapid hungering, polyuria, dry mouth, spontaneous sweating, night sweat, vexing heat in the chest, palms, and soles, and constipation. Jinlida granules can be used as an effective adjuvant treatment for T2D patients who experience those symptoms.

Treatment options of traditional Chinese patent medicines for dyslipidemia in patients with prediabetes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of SIX Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines (TCPM) recommended by guidelines in improving lipids for patients with prediabetes by network meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of 6 TCPM in the treatment of prediabetes were searched systematically in various databases. After extracting effective data, the risk of bias was assessed using Review Manager 5.3 and Cochrane Collaboration Systems Evaluator's Manual. Network meta-analysis was performed using STATA 15.0 based on the frequency statistical model. The effect size and credibility of the evidence for the intervention were summarized based on a minimal contextualized framework. Results: A total of 27 studies involving 2,227 patients were included. Compared with lifestyle modification (LM), Shenqi + LM [SMD -0.49 (95% CI: -0.85, -0.12)] and Jinqi + LM [SMD -0.44 (95% CI: -0.81, -0.06)] showed statistically significant effect in lowering TG, Shenqi + LM [SMD -0.51 (95%CI: -0.86, -0.17)] and Jinqi + LM [SMD -0.44 (95%CI: -0.80, -0.08)] in lowering TC, Jinlida + LM [SMD -0.31 (95%CI: -0.59, -0.04)] in lowering LDL-C, Shenqi + LM [SMD 0.29 (95%CI: 0.06, 0.51)] and Jinqi + LM [SMD 0.16 (95%CI: 0.01, 0.31)] in increasing HDL-C. Conclusion: For patients with prediabetes, Traditional Chinese patent medicine Jinqi and Shenqi combined with lifestyle modification were associated with a significant reduction in TG and TC, while Shenqi + LM was among the most effective. Jinlida + LM was among the least effective. Systematic Review Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier PROSPERO(CRD42021279332).