title: Anti-diabetic effects of Caulerpa lentillifera: stimulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic β-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-1β 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-1β 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources and Institute of Korean Medicine Industry, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 534-729, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bhesh Raj
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources and Institute of Korean Medicine Industry, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 534-729, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Rhyu
keywords: 3T3-L1 adipocytes; Caulerpa lentillifera; Diabetes; Glucose uptake; Insulin secretion; RIN cells