Lycium barbarum polysaccharides alleviate pancreatic β-cells apoptosis through the inhibition of IFNγ pathway

Pancreatic β-cells death mediated by apoptosis plays a key role in the development of diabetes. Pro-inflammatory cytokines activate the apoptotic program in pancreatic β-cells. Therefore, inhibiting inflammatory cytokines induced apoptosis could preserve pancreatic β-cells. The fruit of Lycium is widely used as an antioxidant food and its pharmacological action is partially mediated by Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP). However, whether LBP can inhibit inflammatory cytokines-induced β-cells apoptosis has not been reported. In this study, we showed that LBP could alleviate the apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells through the inhibition of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) pathway. In healthy mice, LBP administration could improve glucose tolerance. In streptozotocin-induced β-cells injury mice, preventive and continuous administration of LBP could alleviate hyperglycemia and protect pancreatic insulin content. Our study identified a novel function of LBP in prevention and protection of pancreatic β-cells apoptosis, which was partially through the inhibition of IFN-γ pathway