Streptozotoxin-induced oxidative cell damage-mediated apoptosis plays an important role in the destruction of pancreatic Ղ-cells and contributes to the development of diabetes. In the present study, protective effect of phloroglucinol (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced oxidative cell damage was investigated in rat pancreatic Ղ-cells, RINm5F. Phloroglucinol was significantly decreased the level of STZ-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced STZ-induced loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Phloroglucinol enhanced cell viability against STZ-induced cell damage and inhibited STZ-induced apoptotic cell death, confirmed by formation of apoptotic bodies and sub G₁ phase. These results suggest that phloroglucinol exhibits protective effects on STZ-induced oxidative cell damage-mediated apoptosis in rat RINm5F pancreatic Ղ-cells. (Cancer Prev Res 17, 0-99, 2012)

Keywords: Phloroglucinol, Oxidative stress, Reactive oxygen species, RIN5mF cells