Frontiers in Pharmacology.,
21 March 2016 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00067

Antrodia camphorata Increases Insulin Secretion and Protects from Apoptosis in MIN6 Cells

Antrodia camphorata is a Taiwanese-specific fungus which has been used clinically to treat hypertension, immune- and liver-related diseases and cancer; however, it has never been studied in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia in T2DM causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, leading to β-cell dysfunction. During chronic ER stress, misfolded proteins accumulate and initiate β-cell apoptosis. Moreover, β-cell dysfunction leads to defect in insulin secretion, which is the key process in the development and progression of T2DM. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of A. camphorata on insulin secretion and ER stress-induced apoptosis in a mouse β-cell line, MIN6, and their underlying mechanisms. We demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of A. camphorata increased glucose-induced insulin secretion dose-dependently through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) pathway, and upregulated genes that were involved in insulin secretion, including PPAR-γ, glucose transporter-2 and glucokinase. Furthermore, A. camphorata slightly increased cell proliferation, as well as protected from ER stress-induced apoptosis in MIN6 cells. In conclusion, this study provided evidences that A. camphorata might have anti-diabetic effects and could be a novel drug for T2DM.

Results

Antrodia camphorata Enhanced Glucose-Induced Insulin Secretion through PPAR-γ Pathway

FIGURE 1

Antrodia camphorata Increased PPAR-γ, GLUT-2, and GLK Expressions in MIN6 Cells

FIGURE 2

Antrodia camphorata Protected from ER Stress-Induced Apoptosis in MIN6 Cells

FIGURE 3


FIGURE 4

Antrodia camphorata Protected from Apoptosis through Downregulation of IRE1α Pathway in MIN6 Cells

FIGURE 5