Regeneration of Beta Cells by Inhibition of pro-Apoptotic Proteins through Phytocompound in STZ Induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats: In Vivo and In Silico Approach

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is due to severe insulin deficiency by loss of insulin-producing β-cells. Hence, induction of β-cell proliferation is a promising therapeutic strategy to regenerate β-cell mass. Both extrinsic (receptor-mediated) and intrinsic (mitochondria-driven) pathway constitutes the apoptotic pathway. Extrinsic pathway driven by external factors and mitochondria-driven intrinsic pathway are known to operate at a balance and regulate pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins. Hence, there is a future hope for therapeutic application to slow or even prevent β-cell apoptosis in T1DM by inhibiting pro-apoptotic proteins employing natural phytocompounds. Among the several plants screened, Elephantopus scaber was found to have a remarkable anti-diabetic activity. Terpenoid, the bioactive phytocompound isolated from the mentioned plant was found to increase insulin and restore glucose homeostasis. Experimental analysis in STZ diabetic rats demonstrated an increase in insulin by regeneration of beta cells. However, the underlying mechanism of beta cell regeneration was analysed by inhibition of pro-apoptotic proteins. Thus, restoring pancreatic beta cell function by inhibiting pro-apoptotic proteins may be an effective strategical approach for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, which may open doors for establishing phytocompounds as operative anti-diabetics. Restoring insulin secretion by regenerating beta cells in STZ induced diabetic rats can be traced to the inhibition of pro-apoptotic proteins by phytocompound through in silico study.