Exploring the protection on islet β-cells and hypoglycemic effect of Moringa oleifera stem based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Moringa oleifera Lam. ( M. oleifera ) has been used as a remedy for diabetes clinically. To discover the underlying mechanism, we investigated its hypoglycemic compounds and shed light on its regulatory targets and pathways using network pharmacology. A total of 13 active compounds of stem were shot, and they may relieve diabetes through 122 core intersecting targets, mainly regulating the biological processes of inflammatory response and apoptosis. Molecular docking showed binding advantages of the active compounds with proteins in apoptosis process. In experiments conducted on MIN6 cells, an islet β-cell line, the extract of M. oleifera stem was validated to protect cells from apoptosis through reducing cellular ROS and endoplasmic reticulum stress. And consistently with its protective effect on islet β-cells, M. oleifera stem alleviated hyperglycemia in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice. These results offer novel evidence for the development of functional foods to treat T2DM with M. oleifera stem.