Objective: To investigate the effect of flavonoids from Psidium guajava leaves on pancreatic duodenum homeobox-1 (PDX-1)

neurogenin 3 (Ngn3)

NK6 transcription factor-related locus 1 (Nkx6.1) expression in pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice

and explore the mechanism of pancreatic islets regeneration. Method: Diabetic mouse were randomly divided into model group and treatment groups

the latter included P. guajava leaves flavonoids low and high-dose groups and metformin group

and the other 10 normal mice were included into normal group. P. guajava leaves flavonoids low and high-dose groups were administered intragastrically with the doses of 0.198

0.396 g·kg-1·d-1

metformin was 0.087 5 g·kg-1·d-1

and normal group and model group were administered intragastrically with the same volume of distilled water. After two weeks of administration

fasting blood glucose and weight were measured. Pancreatic tissue was sliced

and observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. And Real-time PCR was used to investigate the mRNA expressions of PDX-1

Ngn3

Nkx6.1. Result: Compared with normal group

the expressions of PDX-1

Ngn3 and Nkx6.1 were decreased in pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic mice (P<0. 05). Compared with model group

the expressions of PDX-1

Ngn3 and Nkx6.1 were increased in P. guajava leaves flavonoids low and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: P. guajava leaves flavonoids can increase the expressions of PDX-1

Ngn3

Nkx6.1 in the pancreatic tissues in mouse with diabetes mellitus. Its mechanism of pancreatic islets β cell regeneration may be related to the increase in expressions of PDX-1

Ngn3

Nkx6.1.