Ancient Records and Modern Research on the Mechanisms of Chinese Herbal Medicines in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Figure 4

Main mechanisms of CHM working on DM. IIAI: CHM increase insulin sensitivity and ameliorate insulin resistance; PIEI: CHM promote insulin secretion and elevate serum insulin levels; INGA: CHM inhibit α-glucosidase activity; PIPR: CHM protect islet β cells and promote their regeneration; IHSG: CHM increase hepatic glycogen content and suppress gluconeogenesis; INSG: CHM inhibit the secretion of glucagon; PRGU: CHM promote the glucose uptake by adipose and muscular tissues. In the figure, seven CHM examples were given. CHM may involve a variety of hypoglycemic mechanisms, and only the main mechanism is mentioned in this figure. Dotted line means the possible ways in which CHM exert hypoglycemic effects. Solid lines show potential hypoglycemic mechanisms.