Research Article Open Access

Effect of Cinnamomum cassia Stem-Bark Extracts on the Synthesis and Secretion of Insulin in RIN-m5F Cells

Ananias Hodi Kgopa1, Sebolaishi Doris Makhubela1, Motetelo Alfred Mogale1 and Leshweni Jerry Shai2
  • 1 Department of Biochemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PO Box 236, Medunsa, 0204, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
  • 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

Abstract

Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) crude stem-bark extracts possess some hypoglycemic properties through inhibiting the uptake of glucose by the intestines and/or enhancing insulin sensitivity. To further investigate the mechanism through which the hypoglycemic effect is exerted, this research explored the influence of the extracts of the crude stem-bark of C. cassia, with various polarities, on particular aspects of glucose consumption as well as glucose-stimulated insulin synthesis and secretion by RIN-m5F cells. All C. cassia extracts did not enhance glucose consumption when compared to the untreated cells (p˂0.001). However, lower concentrations of the extracts significantly increased mRNA levels of Glucose Transporter 2 (GLUT2) and glucokinase genes. Furthermore, all C. cassia extracts significantly stimulated/increased total insulin synthesis (intracellular and secreted) when compared with the control cells, though the effect was not dose-dependent except for water extracts at higher concentration (p<0.001). The results of this investigation revealed that generally, the extracts upregulated the expression of Musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma homolog A (MafA), the transcription factor involved in insulin gene expression, while that of the Pancreatic Duodenal Homeobox-1 (PDX-1) gene was mostly suppressed. In concluding, the results of this study proposes that C. cassia stem-bark extracts may exert hypoglycemic effects through stimulating insulin synthesis and secretion in the RIN-m5F pancreatic beta cells.

OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences
Volume 22 No. 2, 2022, 177-190

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2022.177.190

Submitted On: 9 November 2021 Published On: 5 April 2022

How to Cite: Kgopa, A. H., Makhubela, S. D., Mogale, M. A. & Shai, L. J. (2022). Effect of Cinnamomum cassia Stem-Bark Extracts on the Synthesis and Secretion of Insulin in RIN-m5F Cells. OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences, 22(2), 177-190. https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2022.177.190

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Keywords

  • Diabetes
  • Pancreatic Beta Cells
  • Cinnamomum cassia
  • Glucose Uptake
  • Synthesis and Secretion of Insulin
  • MafA and PDX-1