Cassia tora Seed Improves Pancreatic Mitochondrial Function Leading to Recovery of Glucose Metabolism

Mitochondrial metabolism plays a crucial role in insulin resistance and insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Some studies have focused on how Cassia tora extracts affect insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. However, the effects of Cassia tora extracts on mitochondrial dysfunction associated with insulin secretion have not been well explained. In this study, well-known effective compounds extracted from Cassia tora using 70% ethanol were administered to a high-fat diet (HFD) fed mouse to examine the effects of Cassia tora ethanolic extracts (CSEE) on mitochondrial dysfunction in the pancreas. Furthermore, we examined how CSEE regulates the basal mechanism of insulin secretion through mitochondrial functions. Our experimental data suggest that pancreatic mitochondrial metabolism in HFD mice is enhanced to compensate for constrained glucose consumption. HFD-fed mice treated with CSEE showed improved pancreatic mitochondrial functions resulting in alleviation of insulin resistance at target tissue as well as basal hyperinsulinemia.