Ursolic acid enhances the cellular immune system and pancreatic beta-cell function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice fed a high-fat diet

Int Immunopharmacol. 2009 Jan;9(1):113-9. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2008.10.013. Epub 2008 Nov 20.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of ursolic acid on immunoregulation and pancreatic beta-cell function in type 1 diabetes fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Male mice were divided into non-diabetic, diabetic control, and diabetic-ursolic acid (0.05%, w/w) groups, which were fed a high-fat (37% calories from fat). Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (200 mg/kg B.W., i.p.). Ursolic acid significantly improved blood glucose levels, glucose intolerance, and insulin sensitivity compared to the diabetic group. The plasma insulin and C-peptide concentrations were significantly higher in the diabetic-ursolic acid group than in the diabetic group. Ursolic acid significantly elevated the insulin levels with preservation of insulin staining of beta-cells in the pancreas. In splenocytes, concanavalin (Con) A-induced T-cell proliferation was significantly higher in the diabetic-ursolic acid group compared to the diabetic group, but liposaccharide (LPS)-induced B-cell proliferation did not differ between groups. Ursolic acid enhanced IL-2 and IFN-gamma production in response to Con A stimulation, whereas it inhibited TNF-alpha production in response to LPS stimulation. In this study, neither streptozotocin nor ursolic acid had effects on lymphocyte subsets. These results indicate that ursolic acid exhibits potential anti-diabetic and immunomodulatory properties by increasing insulin levels with preservation of pancreatic beta-cells and modulating blood glucose levels, T-cell proliferation and cytokines production by lymphocytes in type 1 diabetic mice fed a high-fat diet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / biosynthesis
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • C-Peptide / blood
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Diet
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Hyperglycemia / blood
  • Hyperglycemia / drug therapy
  • Hypoglycemic Agents*
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / physiology*
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Pancreas / drug effects
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Function Tests
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Ursolic Acid

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Blood Glucose
  • C-Peptide
  • Cytokines
  • Dietary Fats
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Triterpenes