The Potential Protective Role of Neoeriocitrin in a Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Model in INS-1E Pancreatic ß-Cells

Diabetes mellitus is a very common metabolic disorder. In addition to the use of drugs, plant-based antidiabetic products are also used as an alternative therapy. Although the main cause of the beta-cell damage is not known exactly, it is attributed to oxidative stress. Although antioxidant effects of flavonoids are well known, there is an information gap about neoeriocitrin (Neo). Neo is found in fruit extracts, fruit juices of some plants. In this study, the potential protective effect of pretreatment of Neo was examined in pancreatic INS-1E cells against STZ-induced damage. INS-1E cells were pre-treated with Neo (0.25, 0.5, 1 mu M) for 21 hours, and diabetes was induced by STZ. The cell viability, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay, DNA/RNA oxidative stress assay, and DCFHDA reactive oxygen species assay (ROS) were performed. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzyme activities and a glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assay (GSIS) were performed. Pretreatment of INS-1E cells with Neo caused increases in the cell viability, decreases in the apoptotic cell number in STZ-induced damage. Neo caused changes in GSIS levels, intracellular ROS level was decreased by neo pretreatment, it caused fold changes of lipid peroxidation, and DNA&RNA oxidative levels changed according to the STZ group. Additionally, pretreatment of Neo caused changes in fold changes of antioxidant activities in STZ-induced damage. Taking into account, pretreatment of neo has anti-oxidative effects, it is anticipated that neo might serve as a novel agent for the treatment of diabetes. However, further studies need to perform to enlighten the exact mechanism of action.