Dragon fruit polysaccharide SDFP-2 ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus in mice associated with activation of PI3K/AKT signaling and restoration of PINK1/PRKN-mediated mitophagy

Key Points

• This research aims to evaluate the anti-diabetic effects of dragon fruit polysaccharide SDFP-2 and its underlying mechanisms.
• Used a PA-induced insulin resistance model in HepG2 cells and an HFD/STZ-induced type 2 diabetes mouse model.
• Administered SDFP-2 and assessed glucose storage, tolerance, and histological changes.
• Analyzed the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling and PINK1/PRKN-mediated mitophagy.
• SDFP-2 significantly improved glucose tolerance and reduced weight loss in diabetic mice.
• Histological analysis showed reduced pancreatic atrophy and renal damage.
• SDFP-2 activated the PI3K/AKT pathway, increasing levels of phosphorylated PI3K and AKT, and enhanced mitophagy markers PINK1 and LC3-II.