title: Fructus Benincasae Recens extract prevents cytokine-induced nitric oxide formation and cytotoxicity of RINm5F cells.
abstract: Cytokines produced by immune cells infiltrating pancreatic islets are important mediators of beta-cell destruction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In this study, the effects of Fructus Benincasae Recens (FBR) extract on cytokine-induced beta-cell dysfunction were examined. Fructus Benincasae Recens extract completely protected interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-mediated cytotoxicity in rat insulinoma cell line (RINm5F). Incubation with FBR extract resulted in a significant reduction of IL-1beta and IFN-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, a finding that correlated well with reduced levels of the inducible form of NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein. The molecular mechanism by which FBR extract inhibited iNOS gene expression appeared to involve the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Our results revealed the possible therapeutic value of FBR extract for the prevention of diabetes mellitus progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Oriental Medicine, Won-Kwang University, Iksan, Chonbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Kang-Beom
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Do-Gon
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Min-Kyo
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Byung-Cheul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Woo-Jun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Young-Rae
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Byung-Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D019662:Cucurbitaceae; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat