Objective        To investigate the protective effect of rhein lysinate (RHL) to pancreas in type 2 diabetic mice.       Methods        Mouse model of type 2 diabetic was established

and then were stratified according to body weight. They were divided into the following groups by random number table

model

25 and 50 mg/kg RHL treatment groups. Another 10 normal mice were designated as normal control. Body weight

blood glucose

total cholesterol

total triglyceride

insulin

level of reactive oxygen species and activities of anti-oxidation enzymes were determined in 4 weeks after treatment. After pancreatic beta-cell line NIT-1 were treated by RHL

at 0

5 and 10 μmol/L for 24 h

cell apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by flow cytometry and Western blotting.       Results        In comparison with normal control group

blood glucose

total cholesterol

triglyceride and the level of reactive oxygen species of pancreatic tissues were increased

however

insulin

body weight and the activities of anti-oxidation enzymes were decreased in the model group (all

P

0.05). RHL treatment resulted in significant decreases in blood glucose

total cholesterol

triglyceride and the level of reactive oxygen species in pancreatic tissues

while obvious increases in insulin

body weight

and the activities of anti-oxidation enzymes when compared with model group (all

P

0.05). In vitro study showed that RHL inhibited the apoptosis in NIT-1 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide.       Conclusion       RHL protects the pancreas in type 2 diabetic mice

which might be correlated with its inhibiting oxidative stress and beta-cell apoptosis.