PDX1 and diabetes mellitus: A polysaccharide purified from Hovenia dulcis was found to ameliorate type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) by up-regulating PDX-1, activating and up-regulating IRS2 expression, and regulating apoptosis and regeneration of islet β-cells to recover islet β-cell function injury in T1DM rats [27].