Zhimu-Huangbai codecoction - for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus through its self-assembling nanoparticles

Sep 30, 2026

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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions act through multi-phase systems, where therapeutic effects cannot be fully explained at the molecular level. The nanophase within decoctions is reported to mediate pharmacological activity. This study examined natural nanoparticles derived from Zhimu-Huangbai herbal decoction (ZBD) for anti–type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) effects and whether they improve oral bioavailability of key active compounds, using a T2DM rat model and intestinal perfusion plus UPLC-MS/MS pharmacokinetic comparisons.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

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Abstract

Nanoparticle isolation and characterization

T2DM rat model and therapeutic effects

Intestinal absorption evaluation

Pharmacokinetic analysis with UPLC-MS/MS

Conclusions

Keywords

Introduction

Nie et al. Chinese Medicine (2026) 21:13 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01290-z](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01290-z) Chinese Medicine RESEARCH Open Access Zhimu-Huangbai codecoction for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus through its self-assembling nanoparticles Wenlong Nie1†, Meifang Jiang1,2†, Yin Li5, Jinshuai Lan1, Zhe Li1, Zhijun Bi1, Donghao Gu1, Minquan Zhang1, Yue Ding1,3,4* and Tong Zhang1,3* Abstract Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions represent a complex system comprising multiple phases, and their therapeutic effects cannot be fully elucidated solely at the molecular level. The nanophase within TCM decoctions plays a significant role in mediating their pharmacological activities. Zhimu and Huangbai herbal decoction (ZBD), traditionally used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is a formulation combining Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex phellodendri chinensis. Our prior research identified natural nanoparticles (N-ZBD) within ZBD. However, the role of these nanoparticles in ZBD’s anti-T2DM effects and their potential impact on the oral bioavailability of its active components remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the anti-T2DM effects of N-ZBD and to assess whether N-ZBD could enhance the bioavailability of its primary active compounds. Initially, we employed a dialysis centrifugation method to isolate the N-ZBD (nanoparticles derived from Zhimu-Baihu Decoction) from ZBD. The separated N-ZBD exhibited an average particle size of 234.4 ± 1.04 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.56 ± 0 . 06, and a zeta potential of − 12 .97 ± 1.46 mV. Then, a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model was created by administering a low dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) intraperitoneally following 4 weeks on a high-fat diet. After a 7-week treatment period, compared with the model group, the levels of FBG, TC, TG and LDL in MET group, N-ZBD group and ZBD group were significantly reduced, and the morphology of islets was significantly improved. In all phases state of ZBD, N-ZBD had a significant therapeutic effect onT2DM rats, which was comparable to that of ZBD. In order to explore whether N-ZBD has the effect of promoting absorption, we assessed the intestinal absorption properties of N-ZBD, ZBD, and free drugs (mangiferin, timosaponin BII, berberine, phellodendrine, neomangiferin and jatrorrhizine) utilizing a single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) model. Compared to free drugs, N-ZBD enhanced the absorption of active ingredients in the jejunum and ileum. In order to explore whether N-ZBD can improve the bioavailability of active ingredients, a method using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLCMS/MS) was also established to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of six primary active compounds in plasma after the oral administration of ZBD, N-ZBD and free drugs. The pharmacokinetic profiles of N-ZBD and ZBD in rats were comparable. Notably, N-ZBD exhibited higher Cmax, AUC0-t, and T1/2 values for the index compounds compared to free drugs and a reduced plasma clearance rate. In conclusion, N-ZBD is primarily responsible for ZBD’s anti-T2DM †Wenlong Nie and Meifang Jiang have contributed equally to this work. *Correspondence: Yue Ding [dingyue-2001@hotmail.com](dingyue-2001@hotmail.com)[ ](dingyue-2001@hotmail.com)Tong Zhang [zhangtongshutcm@hotmail.com](zhangtongshutcm@hotmail.com) Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s) 2026. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Com

FAQs

What was the main goal of this study on Zhimu-Huangbai decoction?

To evaluate the anti–T2DM effects of natural nanoparticles from Zhimu-Huangbai decoction and determine whether these nanoparticles enhance the oral bioavailability of its main active compounds.

How were the natural nanoparticles from ZBD prepared and characterized?

Nanoparticles (N-ZBD) were isolated using a dialysis centrifugation method. They were characterized by average particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential.

What methods were used to assess intestinal absorption and bioavailability?

Intestinal absorption was tested using a single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) model. Oral bioavailability was compared using UPLC-MS/MS pharmacokinetic profiling in plasma after oral administration of ZBD, N-ZBD, and free drugs.

Sep 30, 2026

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