Protective effect of Schisandrae chinensis oil on pancreatic β-cells in diabetic rats

Islet cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes is primarily attributed to increased apoptosis of pancreatic β-Cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Schisandrae chinensis oil on pancreatic β-Cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats and the associated molecular mechanisms of action. Wistar rats were randomly divided into diabetic rats and control rats, diabetic rats treated with Schisandrae chinensis oil (1 mg/kg), and control rats treated with Schisandrae chinensis oil. The serum fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels along with MDA content, SOD and CAT activities in pancreatic tissues were measured. TUNEL was used to observe the apoptosis of rat pancreatic cells. Western blot was used to determine specific protein expression. The results showed that the oil significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels as well as the pancreatic MDA, but increased SOD and CAT activities. The protein expression of Bcl-2, PDX-1, GLUT-2, and GCK but not caspase 3 was significantly enhanced in the oil-treated rats compared with diabetic rats. However, Bax content was not significantly different between the control and DM groups. Schisandra chinensis oil improves pancreatic β-cell function by enhancing antioxidant potential of the pancreas, upregulating the expression of anti-apoptotic genes, increasing expression of glucose metabolism, and delaying islet cell apoptosis.