For instance, quercetin can improve insulin production by rat insulinoma INS-1 cells in response to high glucose, as well as downregulate the relative expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and PDX-1 mRNAs, inhibit oxidative stress caused by H2O2, and reduce INS-1 cell apoptosis34. This evidence concerns the gene PDX1 and pancreatic insulinoma.