Naringin (4′,5,7-Trihydroxyflavanone 7-Rhamnoglucoside) Attenuates β-Cell Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats through Upregulation of PDX-1

Authors : Manickam Subramanian, Balaji Thotakura, Swathi Priyadarshini Chandra Sekaran, Ashok kumar Jyothi, Indumathi Sundaramurthi

DOI : 10.1159/000496506

Volume : 206

Issue : 3

Year : 2018

Page No : 133-143

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) is a key transcription factor which regulates <i>Insulin</i> gene expression and insulin secretion in adult β-cells and helps to maintain β-cells mass. Naringin, a flavanone, owing to its anti­oxidant property, is reported to have antidiabetic effects. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The present study tries to evaluate the role of naringin on the β-cell-specific transcription factor PDX-1 in diabetic rats. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Diabetes was induced in male rats using streptozotocin and treated with naringin (100 mg/kg) orally for 4 and 8 weeks. Serum insulin level, <i>Pdx-1</i> and <i>Insulin</i> gene expression, and PDX-1 protein expression were assessed in the rat pancreas. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the islet and β-cells were observed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Naringin prevented leukocytic infiltration in the pancreas of diabetic rats and recouped the β-cells with adequate secretory granules. Naringin-treated diabetic rats showed significantly increased mRNA expression of <i>Pdx-1</i> and <i>Insulin</i> genes, increased expression of transcription factor PDX-1, and higher serum insulin levels than the diabetic control animals. These changes were more pronounced in the 8-week naringin-treated diabetic animals. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Naringin was found to be an effective antidiabetic agent which increased <i>Insulin</i> gene expression and insulin secretion by upregulating the PDX-1 gene and protein expression.

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