Investigating the Molecular Mechanism of Aqueous Extract of Cyclocarya paliurus on Ameliorating Diabetes by Transcriptome Profiling

Jing Li, Mei Luo, Minghua Hu, An-Yuan Guo, Xiangliang Yang, Qiong Zhang, Yanhong Zhu

Diabetes is generally regarded as a metabolic disorder disease caused by various reasons, including pancreas islet injury and lipid metabolism disorders. The aqueous extract of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves (CPAE) was reported to be anti-diabetic. However, the possible molecular mechanisms have not been investigated. To elucidate the anti-diabetic effects of CPAE and the underlying potential mechanisms, we performed transcriptome profiling (RNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq) on the pancreas and liver from non-diabetic, diabetic and diabetic-CPAE rats. Our results demonstrated the CPAE could reduce excessive oxidative stress and inflammation in the pancreas, and maintain the balance of glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver. Transcriptome profiling and regulatory network analysis indicated that CPAE may ameliorate diabetes through improving β-cell survival and strengthening insulin secretion in the pancreas. Meanwhile, CPAE could improve impaired lipid metabolism and reduce excessive oxidative damage in the liver probably through miR-200/375-Aldh1b1/Hps5-Hes1 co-regulatory network. Taken together, our biochemical experiments combined with transcriptome profiling showed that the effects of CPAE on anti-diabetes may work through protecting pancreatic β-cell, improving dyslipidaemia and lipid metabolism disorders.