Background:

Acarbose is an inhibitor of alpha glucosidase, an anti-diabetic drug.

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[2].

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[1]. 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[2].

Reference:
[1]. Zhang Q, et al. Acarbose Reduces Blood Glucose by Activating miR-10a-5p and miR-664 in Diabetic Rats. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 18;8(11):e79697.
[2]. Chan KC, et al. Pleiotropic effects of acarbose on atherosclerosis development in rabbits are mediated via upregulating AMPK signals. Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 7;6:3864