The small molecule kobusone can stimulate islet β-cell replication .

Objective: To investigate the ability of kobusone to reduce high glucose levels and promote β-cell proliferation.

Methods: Four-week-old female db/db mice were assigned to the kobusone (25 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally twice a day) or control group (same volume of PBS). Glucose levels and body weight were measured twice a week. After 6 weeks, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests and immunohistochemical studies were performed, and insulin levels were determined. The expression of mRNAs involved in cell proliferation, such as PI3K, Akt, cyclin D3 and p57, was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results: Kobusone reduced blood glucose levels after 3 weeks and more strongly increased serum insulin levels than the vehicle. Immunohistochemistry illustrated that kobusone increased 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into islet β-cells, suggesting that it can stimulate islet β-cell replication . RT-qPCR indicated that kobusone upregulated the mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt, and cyclin D3 and downregulated that of p57.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that kobusone is a potent pancreatic islet β-cell inducer that has the potential to be developed as an anti-diabetic agent.