The small molecule kobusone can stimulate islet β-cell replication in vivo

Objective: To investigate the ability of kobusone to reduce high glucose levels and promote β-cell proliferation.

Methods: Four-week-old female db/db mice were assigned to the kobusone (25 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally twice a day) or control group (same volume of PBS). Glucose levels and body weight were measured twice a week. After 6 weeks, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests and immunohistochemical studies were performed, and Insulin levels were determined. The expression of mRNAs involved in cell proliferation, such as PI3K, Akt, cyclin D3 and p57^Kip2, was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results: Kobusone reduced blood glucose levels after 3 weeks and more strongly increased serum Insulin levels than the vehicle. Immunohistochemistry illustrated that kobusone increased 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into islet β-cells, suggesting that it can stimulate islet β-cell replication in vivo. RT-qPCR indicated that kobusone upregulated the mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt, and cyclin D3 and downregulated that of p57^Kip2.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that kobusone is a potent pancreatic islet β-cell inducer that has the potential to be developed as an anti-diabetic agent.

Kobusone; cyclin D; cyclin-dependent kinase; diabetes; insulin; islet β-cell; p57Kip2; pancreas.