Anti-diabetic effects of Caulerpa lentillifera: Stimulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic ß-cells and enhancement of glucose uptake in adipocytes

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate anti-diabetic effect of Caulerpa lentillifera (C. lentillifera). Methods: The inhibitory effect of C. lentillifera extract on dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and α-glucosidase enzyme was measured in a cell free system. Then, interleukin-1ß and interferon-γ induced cell death and insulin secretion were measured in rat insulinoma (RIN) cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and ELISA kit, respectively. Glucose uptake and glucose transporter expression were measured by fluorometry and western blotting, using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results: C. lentillifera extract significantly decreased dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and α-glucosidase enzyme activities, and effectively inhibited cell death and iNOS expression in interleukin-1ß and interferon-γ induced RIN cells. Furthermore, C. lentillifera extract significantly enhanced insulin secretion in RIN cells and glucose transporter expression and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conclusions: Thus, our results suggest that C. lentillifera could be used as a potential anti-diabetic agent.