Protective effect of cirsimaritin against streptozotocin-induced apoptosis in pancreatic beta cells

ObjectivesMaintaining glucose homoeostasis is essential for the survival of cells. Despite the various health benefits of Korean thistle (Cirsium japonicum var. maackii), their effects on pancreatic -cell apoptosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and experimentally investigated in this study. MethodsThe effects of C. japonicum var. maackii and its active component cirsimaritin against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cytotoxicity were assessed in INS-1 cells. By Western blotting analysis, protein expressions related to apoptosis were evaluated. The involvement of apoptosis was also confirmed with image-based cytometric assay and caspase activity tests. Key findingsCirsium japonicum var. maackii extract and cirsimaritin in non-toxic concentrations improved cell viability to near normal levels and protected INS-1 cells against STZ-induced damage. In addition, cirsimaritin reduced the intracellular oxidative stress induced by STZ. Cirsimaritin effectively suppressed apoptosis in pancreatic cells by decreasing the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3, BID and the DNA repair protein poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and increasing anti-apoptotic BCL-2 protein expression. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the therapeutic potential and action mechanism of cirsimaritin for the prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.