Synergistic Effect of Two Major Components of Malva verticillata in the Recovery of Alloxan-Damaged Pancreatic Islet Cells in Zebrafish

J Med Food. 2019 Feb;22(2):196-201. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2018.4235.

Abstract

Malva verticillata (Chinese mallow) has long been used in traditional medicines and herbal teas in Asia. The n-BuOH fraction (Fr) from M. verticillata promoted significant recovery of alloxan-damaged (AXD) pancreatic islets (PIs) in zebrafish (ZF). Two major components were isolated from M. verticillata through repeated-column chromatography. Based on several spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry (FAB-MS), the chemical structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined. In addition, the quantity of both compounds in the n-BuOH Fr was investigated through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the quantities of compounds 1 and 2 in the n-BuOH Fr were determined to be 5.58% ± 0.16% and 2.85% ± 0.13%, respectively. The n-BuOH Fr, compounds 1 and 2, and the mixture of compounds 1 and 2 (MX, 1 and 2, the ratio of both compounds in n-BuOH Fr, 1.96:1) were evaluated for their ability to recover AXD PIs and for their KATP channel-blocking mechanism using diazoxide in ZF. The n-BuOH Fr (10 μg/mL) and compounds 1 and MX (1 μg/mL) exhibited a recovery effect on AXD PIs. The n-BuOH Fr (10 μg/mL) and MX (1 μg/mL) were also confirmed to be useful KATP channel activators. A synergistic effect of MX in the recovery of AXD PIs was first confirmed in ZF, and it was discovered that 2 acted as an insulin sensitivity activator that increased the activity of compound 1.

MeSH terms

  • Alloxan
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Drug Synergism
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Islets of Langerhans / drug effects*
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology
  • KATP Channels / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Malva / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pancreatic Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Pancreatic Diseases* / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Diseases* / pathology
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Fast Atom Bombardment
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • Insulin
  • KATP Channels
  • Plant Extracts
  • Alloxan