Downregulation of BECN1 and MAP 1LC3B-II, two markers of autophagy, occurred in the livers of T2DM rats and in PA-treated L-O2 cells compared to their corresponding control groups, while the expression of BECN1 and MAP 1LC3B-II recovered after HucMDE treatment (Fig. 3a, f). Here, BECN1 is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.