TNF and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Our previous study has demonstrated that Ruellia tuberosa L. (RTL) aqueous or ethanolic extracts significantly improved glucose uptake in C2C12 myoblasts, alleviated tumor necrosis factor-α- (TNF-α-) induced IR in skeletal muscles, and ameliorated hyperglycemia and IR indices in high-fat-diet-fed plus streptozotocin-induced T2DM rats [8].