Rikkunshito increases peripheral incretin-hormone levels in humans and rats

Figure 6 Effects of rikkunshito on cyclic adenosine monophosphate activities in pancreatic tissues, oral glucose tolerance test, and plasma insulin levels. A: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate activities in the pancreatic tissues; B: Oral glucose tolerance test; C: Plasma insulin levels. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate activities were investigated in the pancreatic tissues of rats treated with rikkunshito (TJ-43) for 3 wk or without treatment. Blood glucose levels are measured after intragastric glucose administration (2.0 g/kg) in rats treated with TJ-43 (1 g/kg) for 3 wk or without treatment at designated time points (n = 6 in each group). In the oral glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin levels are measured in rats treated with TJ-43(+) or without TJ-43(−) (n = 6 in each group) after glucose administration at designated time points. TJ-43, rikkunshito; rTJ-43(−), rats treated without TJ-43; and rTJ43(+), rats treated with TJ-43. ^aP < 0.05 compared with the TJ-43(−) group by ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post-hoc test. TJ-43: Rikkunshito; AMP: Adenosine monophosphate.