Bee Pollen Polysaccharide From Rosa rugosa Thunb. (Rosaceae) Promotes Pancreatic β-Cell Proliferation and Insulin Secretion

Abstract

Insufficient pancreatic β-cell or insulin-producing β-cell are implicated in all types of diabetes mellitus. Our previous studies showed bee pollen polysaccharide RBPP-P improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic mice by inhibiting liver fat deposition. However, its potential of regulating β-cell function and integrity is not fully known. Herein, we observed that β-cell proliferation (n = 10), insulin synthesis (n = 5, p = 0.01684) and insulin incretion (n = 5, p = 0.02115) were intensely activated in MIN6 cells when treatment with RBPP-P. In alloxan-induced diabetic mice, oral administration of RBPP-P (n = 10) effectively decreased the blood glucose (p = 0.0326), drink intake (p < 0.001) and urine (p < 0.001). It directly stimulated phosphorylation of p38 (p = 0.00439), ERK (p = 0.02951) and AKT (p = 0.0072) to maintain the islet function and mass. Thus, our data suggest that RBPP-P is a natural compound to regulate β-cell proliferation and function, indicating it might have therapeutic potential against type 1 diabetes.

Bee Pollen: Clinical Trials and Patent Applications

“…RBPP-P increased insulin secretion and functions through the stimulation of key transcription factors MafA and Pdx1 in cells. RBPP-P also increased β-cell proliferation, and upregulated the phosphorylation levels of p38, ERK, and AKT [60]. The phenolic compounds from bee pollen Camellia sinensis L. extract, including 3…”

“…RBPP-P increased insulin secretion and functions through the stimulation of key transcription factors MafA and Pdx1 in cells. RBPP-P also increased β-cell proliferation, and upregulated the phosphorylation levels of p38, ERK, and AKT [ 60 ]. The phenolic compounds from bee pollen Camellia sinensis L. extract, including 3- O -[2′,6′-di- O -(trans-p-coumaroyl)- β -D-glucopyranosyl]kaempferol, 3- O -[6′- O -(trans- p -coumaroyl)- β -D-glucopyranosyl]kaempferol, and gallic acid (GA), had a hypoglycemic effect for patients with type 2 diabetes.…”

Ginsenoside CK improves skeletal muscle insulin resistance by activating DRP1/PINK1-mediated mitophagy

“…qRT-PCR was established as described previously [25]. Total RNA from the tissues of mice or cells was extracted using the TRNzol regant (Tiangen Biotech, DP421).…”

Ginsenoside Compound K Protects against Obesity through Pharmacological Targeting of Glucocorticoid Receptor to Activate Lipophagy and Lipid Metabolism

“…Total RNA was extracted from liver tissues using TRNzol A + (DP421, TIANGEN BIOTECH), and cDNA was synthesized using MMLV Reverse Transcriptase, as described previously [53]. The sequences of the qPCR primers are provided in Table A1.…”