Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (5): 1206-1217.DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.05.014

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Jiangtang Xiaozhi formula (降糖消脂方) alleviates type 2 diabetes mellitus by improving islet beta-cell dedifferentiation: a network pharmacology-based study

ZHU Meilin1, DU Jianpeng2, LUO Yunpeng3, LIU Yunlu4, NIU Zenghui4, LAN Tian1, YANG Jing4, CHEN Zhuhong1()   

  1. 1 Department of Endocrinology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
    2 Cardiovascular Diseases Center, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
    3 Department of Endocrinology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
    4 Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Basic Research on Prevention and Treatment for Major Diseases, Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
  • Received:2025-04-04 Accepted:2026-01-27 Online:2026-10-15 Published:2026-10-09
  • Contact: CHEN Zhuhong, Department of Endocrinology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China. 13264214919@163.com,Telephone: +86-17852938921
  • Supported by:
    Science and Technology Innovation Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences: Study on the Mechanism of Jiangtang Xiaozhi Formula in Treating Diabetes by Regulating Pancreatic Beta-cell Dedifferentiation via the Forkhead Box O1-Mediated Insulin-like Growth Factor 1/Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Pathway(Grant Number: CI2021A01618);Special Project for Research And Development And Transformation of Intellectual Property Medical Institution Preparations and New Chinese Medicines of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study of Jiangtang Xiaozhi Granules for the Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease(Grant Number: XYZX0303-01);Youth Quest Project of China Association of Chinese Medicine: a Clinical Study of Jiangtang Xiaozhi Formula for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease(Grant Number: 2023-QNQS-07);National Natural Science Foundation of China: Molecular Mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Formula in Delaying Vascular Inflammatory Aging Based on the Angiotensin II/Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor/Nuclear Factor Kappa B Inflammatory Pathway(Grant Number: 82074260)

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of Jiangtang Xiaozhi formula (JTXZF, 降糖消脂方)) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS: The effects of JTXZF on T2DM were evaluated using a db/db mouse model. Potential targets of JTXZF in ameliorating T2DM-related pancreatic beta-cell dedifferentiation were initially predicted using network pharmacology. A beta-cell dedifferentiation model was established in Min6 cells viapalmitic acid (PA) intervention. The impact of JTXZF on beta-cell dedifferentiation was assessed through Western blot (WB), immunofluorescence staining, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and siRNA transfection, focusing on the modulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 (PI3K/AKT/FoxO1) signalling pathway viainsulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Transmission electron microscopy was employed to examine changes in mitochondrial morphology in Min6 cells, and mitochondrial dysfunction was evaluated using WB and RT-qPCR to assess the intervention effect of JTXZF on beta-cell dedifferentiation.

RESULTS: JTXZF improved insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, enhanced IGF-1 expression regulating the PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 signalling pathway, upregulated the beta-cell marker transcription factor pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1, and downregulated the progenitor cell marker neurogenin-3 as well as the pluripotency transcription factor octamer-binding transcription factor 4, thereby inhibiting PA-induced beta-cell dedifferentiation. Additionally, JTXZF appeared to improve beta-cell dedifferentiation mechanisms, possibly by increasing mitofusin 2(Mfn2) expression to alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction.

CONCLUSION: JTXZF modulates the PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 signalling pathway viaIGF-1, thereby improving islet beta-cell dedifferentiation in T2DM, and may also regulate Mfn2 expression to mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction.

Key words: diabetes mellitus, type 2, Islet beta-cell dedifferentiation, Jiangtang Xiaozhi formula, IGF-1/PI3K/ AKT/FoxO1 pathway, Mfn2, network pharmacology

Cite this article

ZHU Meilin, DU Jianpeng, LUO Yunpeng, LIU Yunlu, NIU Zenghui, LAN Tian, YANG Jing, CHEN Zhuhong. Jiangtang Xiaozhi formula (降糖消脂方) alleviates type 2 diabetes mellitus by improving islet beta-cell dedifferentiation: a network pharmacology-based study[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026, 46(5): 1206-1217.