Puerarin promotes MIN6 cell survival by reducing cellular reactive oxygen species

Type 1 diabetes is caused by destruction of the pancreatic β‑cells and, to date, no cure has been developed. Promoting the survival of pancreatic β‑cells may be beneficial for patients with type 1 diabetes. Puerarin is an estrogen analogue that been demonstrated in previous studies to be able to decreased blood glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes. Similar results were demonstrated in previous studies which additionally demonstrated that puerarin was able to decreased blood glucose in type 1 diabetic mice by protecting pancreatic β‑cells. However, the mechanism underlying the function of puerarin in pancreatic β‑cells remains unclear. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate the detailed function of puerarin in pancreatic β‑cells. In the present study, H2O2 was used to induce apoptosis. It was observed that puerarin significantly decreased H2O2‑induced apoptosis in mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells. It was additionally observed that puerarin decreased the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide in MIN6 cells. The protective effect of puerarin was markedly decreased by 6‑aminonicotinamide, an inhibitor of glucose‑6‑phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that puerarin may increase the activity of G6PD, decreased the level of oxidative stress in MIN6 cells, protect mitochondria and promote MIN6 cell survival. Investigating the mechanism underlying the effect of puerarin in MIN6 cells may provide a novel approach for development of a cure for type 1 diabetes.