Regeneration of Pancreatic Beta Cells by Modulation of Molecular Targets Using Plant-Derived Compounds: Pharmacological Mechanisms and Clinical Potential

Clare Njoki Kimani; Helmuth Reuter; Sanet Henriët Kotzé; Christo John Fredrick Muller

doi:10.3390/cimb45080392

Regeneration of Pancreatic Beta Cells by Modulation of Molecular Targets Using Plant-Derived Compounds: Pharmacological Mechanisms and Clinical Potential

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2023 Jul 26;45(8):6216-6245. doi: 10.3390/cimb45080392.

Authors

Clare Njoki Kimani^{1

2}, Helmuth Reuter², Sanet Henriët Kotzé^{3

4}, Christo John Fredrick Muller^{1

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town 7505, South Africa.
² Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa.
³ Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa.
⁴ Division of Anatomy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
⁵ Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
⁶ Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, increased cell death and loss of beta-cell mass despite chronic treatment. Consequently, there has been growing interest in developing beta cell-centered therapies. Beta-cell regeneration is mediated by augmented beta-cell proliferation, transdifferentiation of other islet cell types to functional beta-like cells or the reprograming of beta-cell progenitors into fully differentiated beta cells. This mediation is orchestrated by beta-cell differentiation transcription factors and the regulation of the cell cycle machinery. This review investigates the beta-cell regenerative potential of antidiabetic plant extracts and phytochemicals. Various preclinical studies, including in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies, are highlighted. Further, the potential regenerative mechanisms and the intra and extracellular mediators that are of significance are discussed. Also, the potential of phytochemicals to translate into regenerative therapies for T2D patients is highlighted, and some suggestions regarding future perspectives are made.

Keywords: beta cell; molecular targets; plant compounds; plasticity; regeneration.

Publication types

Review

Abstract

Publication types

Grants and funding