Abstract: In this study, the possible mechanism of protection of pancreatic $ \beta $ cells from oxidative stress damage by Opuntia dillenii Haw. fruits polysaccharides(OFPPs) was predicted by network pharmacology and validated using an $ H_{2}O_{2} $-induced oxidative stress cell model in INS-1 cells. The results predicted by network pharmacology indicated that apoptosis-related signaling pathway played an important role in the mechanism of protection of pancreatic $ \beta $-cells from oxidative stress damage by OFPPs, and the in vitro experimental results also demonstrated that the mechanism was related to the regulation of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase3 expression levels. OFPPs can reduce oxidative stress-induced pancreatic $ \beta $-cell apoptosis and may have potential as functional foods to improve diabetes symptoms.
Keywords: Opuntia dillenii Haw. fruits polysaccharides (OFPPs); pancreatic $ \beta $ cells; oxidative stress; apoptosis; network pharmacology