Abstract: In this study,the protective effect of D-limonene on the cellular damage induced by tunicamycin in pancreatic MIN6 cells was investigated.Cells were pretreated with vehicle,PBA and different doses of D-limonene,and then cultured with Tm for 5-24 h.NO production was detected by Griess reagent method.Cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC/PI for apoptosis by flow cytometry.RT-PCR was used to analyze mRNA expression of ER stress related genes sXbp1 and CHOP.Western Blot was used to detect eIF2α protein expression.Our results showed that,compared with Tm-treated cells,cells treated with D-limonene exhibited significantly decreased NO production and apoptosis.Furthermore,D-limonene treatment resulted in significantly lower mRNA levers of sXbp1 and CHOP as well as lower level of protein expression of phosphorylated eIF2α.These results demonstrated that D-limonene had a significant protective effect on cellular damage induced by tunicamycin in pancreatic MIN6 cells.

Key words: D-limonene, MIN6, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, cellular damage