Acarbose

Acarbose (BAY g 5421), antihyperglycemic agent, is an orally active alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (IC₅₀=11 nM). Acarbose can potentiate the hypoglycemic effects of sulfonylureas or insulin^[1][2][3]. In Vitro:Acarbose (1, 2, and 3 μM) dose- and time-dependently inhibits TNF-α-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. Acarbose (1, 2, and 3 μM) dose-dependently decreases β-galactosidase, Ras expression and increased p-AMPK expression in TNF-α pre-treated A7r5 cells^[5]. In Vivo:Acarbose (300 mg/60 kg body weight) decreases the fasting blood glucose, and regulates the glucose tolerance of DM rats without body weight loss. Acarbose significantly suppresses serum IL6 and TNF-α in DM rats^[4].
Acarbose (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently decreases the intensity of neointimal IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS staining, and significantly increases the intensity of neointimal p-AMPK staining. Acarbose (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently decreases neointimal Ras and β-galactosidase expression in HCD-fed rabbits without body weight loss^[5].