Alloxan (hydrate)

Alloxan hydrate (CAS 2244-11-3) is a compound commonly used to establish experimental animal diabetes models. Its diabetogenic mechanism involves the selective destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin secretion and thereby inducing diabetic symptoms. In addition, alloxan hydrate exhibits proteasome inhibitory activity and is therefore also commonly used in scientific studies involving proteasome function and islet beta-cell injury mechanisms.

Within beta cells, alloxan undergoes intracellular reduction to rapidly generate reactive oxygen species and trigger oxidative stress-mediated cell death, ultimately resulting in impaired insulin secretion and hyperglycemia. Its action is closely associated with redox cycling processes and disruption of cellular protein homeostasis.