HM-Chromanone Isolated from Portulaca Oleracea L. Protects INS-1 Pancreatic β Cells against Glucotoxicity-Induced Apoptosis

In this study, we investigated whether (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone, a homoisoflavonoid compound isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., protects INS-1 pancreatic β cells against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis. Treatment with high glucose (30 mM) induced apoptosis in INS-1 pancreatic β cells; however, the level of cell viability was significantly increased by treatment with (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone. Treatment with 10–20 µM of (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone dose-dependently increased cell viability and significantly decreased the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and nitric oxide levels in INS-1 pancreatic β cells pretreated with high glucose. These effects were associated with increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression, while reducing pro-apoptotic Bax, cytochrome C, and caspase 9 protein expression. Treatment with (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone reduced the apoptosis previously induced by high-level glucose-treatment, according to annexin V/propidium iodide staining. These results demonstrate that (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent to protect INS-1 pancreatic β cells against high glucose-induced apoptosis.