Danggui-Buxue-Tang decoction has an anti-inflammatory effect in diabetic atherosclerosis rat model

Danggui-Buxue-Tang (DBT) is a famous traditional Chinese formula. We examined the anti-inflammatory effect of it in diabetic atherosclerosis rats. DBT (3 or 6g/kg/day for 4 weeks) was orally administrated to the diabetic atherosclerosis rats, which were induced by nitric oxide inhibition (l-NAME in drinking water, 1mg/ml) plus high-fat diet. The concentrations of circulating inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and serum fructosamine were determined. The results showed that DBT had no direct effect in lowering serum fructosamine level, but can decrease the concentrations of CRP and TNF-alpha, produce a higher survival rate and less body weight loss, and decrease water intake in diabetic atherosclerosis in GK rats.