The present study was designed to determine the antihyperglycemic function of ginsenoside Rh2 by the regeneration of β-cells in mice that underwent 70% partial pancreatectomy (PPx), and to explore the mechanisms of Rh2-induced β-cell proliferation.

Adult C57BL/6J mice were subjected to PPx or a sham operation. Within 14 days post-PPx, mice that underwent PPx received Rh2 (1 mg/kg body weight) or saline injection.

GS-Rh2-treated mice exhibited an improved glycemia and glucose tolerance, an increased serum insulin levels, and β-cell hyperplasia.

Meanwhile, increased β-cell proliferation percentages and decreased β-cell apoptosis percentages were also observed in Rh2-treated mice.

Further studies on the Akt/Foxo1/PDX-1 signaling pathway revealed that Rh2 probably induced β-cell proliferation via activation of Akt and PDX-1 and inactivation of Foxo1.

Studies on the abundance and activity of cell cycle proteins suggested that GS-Rh2-induced β-cell proliferation may ultimately be achieved through the regulation of cell cycle proteins.

These findings demonstrate that Rh2 administration could inhibit the tendency of apoptosis, and reverse the impaired β-cell growth potential by modulating Akt/Foxo1/PDX-1 signaling pathway and regulating cell cycle proteins. Induction of islet β-cell proliferation by Rh2 suggests its therapeutic potential in the treatment of diabetes.

Source: Wang Y, Wang H, Liu Y, Li C, Qi P, Bao J. Antihyperglycemic effect of ginsenoside Rh2 by inducing islet β-cell regeneration in mice. Horm Metab Res. 2012 Jan;44(1):33-40