Flavonoids-rich extract from Bidens bipinnata L. protects pancreatic β-cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As a traditional Chinese medicinal, Bidens bipinnata L. has been used to treat many diseases with a long history in China. The anti-diabetic effects of extract from B. bipinnata have been demonstrated in the previous reports.
Aim of the Study: The protective effects of flavonoids-rich extract from B. bipinnata (BBTF) on cell damage induced by H ₂ O ₂ in pancreatic β cell and its potential mechanisms were evaluated.
Materials and Methods: MTT, ROS production, nuclear staining and flow cytometry assays were adopted to determine the effects of BBTF on cell viability, production of ROS and cell apoptosis in H ₂ O ₂ -treated INS-1 cell. Cell apoptosis-related proteins expressions were detected by Western blot assay.
Results: Pre-treatment of BBTF could significantly increase INS-1 cell viability, inhibit the production of intracellular ROS and reduced the characteristic features of cell apoptosis induced by H ₂ O ₂ in INS-1 cells. The studies of the underlying mechanism showed that BBTF could regulate Bax and Bcl-2 proteins expressions, suppress the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and p38, as well as down-regulate Fas and FasL proteins expressions induced by H ₂ O ₂ . The expressions of caspase-8, caspase-9 and caspase-3 were therefore decreased.
Conclusion: The results indicated that flavonoids-rich extract from B. bipinnata could be a natural agent in diabetic prevention and therapy.
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