Kitul, a food plant with antidiabetic-like effects: Reduction of intracellular reactive species in glucose-stimulated RIN-5F pancreatic ß-cells and mitigation of pro-inflammatory mediators in activated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Kitul (Caryota urens L.) inflorescences are broadly used for sweet sap production in Asian countries and Kitul food products are known as being suitable for diabetic patients. Considering the strong ability to inhibit α-glucosidase, we hypothesize that kitul antidiabetic properties might also involve the modulation of inflammatory pathways and hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative damage. Hence, the effects of an inflorescence's methanol extract were investigated in glucose-stimulated pancreatic cells (RIN-5F) and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The extract reduced the overproduction of intracellular reactive species in pancreatic cells and also NO, L-citrulline and IL-6 levels in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 166.1 µg/mL) through an uncompetitive manner was also recorded upon treatment with C. urens inflorescences extract. The phenolic profile of the inflorescences was characterized by HPLC-DAD, six hydroxycinnamic acids being identified and quantified. Overall, our data provide additional evidence on the pleiotropic mechanisms of Kitul inflorescences as an antidiabetic agent.