HM-Chromanone Isolated from <i>Portulaca Oleracea</i> L. Protects INS-1 Pancreatic β Cells against Glucotoxicity-Induced Apoptosis

• Main Authors: Jae Eun Park, Youngwan Seo, Ji Sook Han
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-02-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: (<i>E</i>)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone; <i>Portulaca oleracea</i>; INS-1 pancreatic β cell; glucotoxicity
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/2/404

In this study, we investigated whether (<i>E</i>)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2&#8242;-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone, a homoisoflavonoid compound isolated from <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> L., protects INS-1 pancreatic &#946; cells against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis. Treatment with high glucose (30 mM) induced apoptosis in INS-1 pancreatic &#946; cells; however, the level of cell viability was significantly increased by treatment with (<i>E</i>)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2&#8242;-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone. Treatment with 10&#8315;20 &#181;M of (<i>E</i>)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2&#8242;-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone dose-dependently increased cell viability and significantly decreased the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and nitric oxide levels in INS-1 pancreatic &#946; cells pretreated with high glucose. These effects were associated with increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression, while reducing pro-apoptotic Bax, cytochrome C, and caspase 9 protein expression. Treatment with (<i>E</i>)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2&#8242;-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone reduced the apoptosis previously induced by high-level glucose-treatment, according to annexin V/propidium iodide staining. These results demonstrate that (<i>E</i>)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2&#8242;-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent to protect INS-1 pancreatic &#946; cells against high glucose-induced apoptosis.