Ramulus Mori (Sangzhi) alkaloids enhance pancreatic β-Cell maturation and function by targeting the CD81/endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway

BACKGROUND: β-cell dedifferentiation and impaired maturation are crucial contributors to β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet targeted therapies remain limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of Ramulus Mori (Sangzhi) Alkaloids (SZ-A) on β-cell function and maturation in T2DM. METHODS: A T2DM mouse model was induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin, followed by SZ-A treatment. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to profile β-cell subpopulations, identifying Cd81 as a marker of β-cell immaturity. Cd81-overexpressing diabetic mice, as well as β-TC-6 cells with either Cd81 overexpression or knockdown, were employed to explore the role of CD81 in SZ-A-mediated β-cell maturation. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the effects of SZ-A on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The potential interactions between SZ-A components-1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), fagomine (FAG), and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol (DAB)-and CD81 were investigated using molecular docking. RESULTS: β-cells with reduced expression of mature β-cell markers in diabetic islets, which was reversed by SZ-A. CD81 overexpression attenuated the metabolic benefits of SZ-A both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, SZ-A alleviates CD81-mediated ER stress, at least in part via its active components DNJ and FAG, which may bind to CD81, suppress its expression, and thereby promote insulin secretion. CONCLUSION: SZ-A promotes β-cell maturation and function by suppressing CD81-mediated ER stress. These findings reveal a novel therapeutic mechanism of SZ-A and identify CD81 as a potential target for T2DM intervention.