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

Background: Pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) is a key transcription factor which regulates Insulin gene expression and insulin secretion in adult β-cells and helps to maintain β-cells mass. Naringin, a flavanone, owing to its anti-oxidant property, is reported to have antidiabetic effects.

Objectives: The present study tries to evaluate the role of naringin on the β-cell-specific transcription factor PDX-1 in diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in male rats using streptozotocin and treated with naringin (100 mg/kg) orally for 4 and 8 weeks. Serum insulin level, Pdx-1 and Insulin 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.

Results: 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 Pdx-1 and Insulin 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.

Conclusions: Naringin was found to be an effective antidiabetic agent which increased Insulin gene expression and insulin secretion by upregulating the PDX-1 gene and protein expression.