Ruamyod K.Watanapa W.B.Kakhai C.Nambundit P.Treewaree S.Wongsanupa P.Mahidol University2023-05-192023-05-192023-01-01Journal of Integrative Medicine Vol.21 No.1 (2023) , 99-10520954964https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/82625Objective: To investigate the effect of ferulic acid, a natural compound, on pancreatic beta cell viability, Ca2+ channels, and insulin secretion. Methods: We studied the effects of ferulic acid on rat insulinoma cell line viability using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide viability assay. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were also used to examine the action of ferulic acid on Ca2+ channels and insulin secretion, respectively. Results: Ferulic acid did not affect cell viability during exposures up to 72 h. The electrophysiological study demonstrated that ferulic acid rapidly and concentration-dependently increased L-type Ca2+ channel current, shifting its activation curve in the hyperpolarizing direction with a decreased slope factor, while the voltage dependence of inactivation was not affected. On the other hand, ferulic acid have no effect on T-type Ca2+ channels. Furthermore, ferulic acid significantly increased insulin secretion, an effect inhibited by nifedipine and Ca2+-free extracellular fluid, confirming that ferulic acid-induced insulin secretion in these cells was mediated by augmenting Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channel. Our data also suggest that this may be a direct, nongenomic action. Conclusion: This is the first electrophysiological demonstration that acute ferulic acid treatment could increase L-type Ca2+ channel current in pancreatic β cells by enhancing its voltage dependence of activation, leading to insulin secretion.MedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1016/j.joim.2022.11.0032-s2.0-8514396365636481247