The compound selectively destroys the beta cells of pancreas by entering the beta cells through a glucose transporter (GLUT2). In beta cells, the compound induces the production of superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals which in turn causes rapid destruction of beta cells. The compound also releases toxic amounts of nitric oxide that inhibits aconitase activity and contributes in DNA damage (Szkudelski, 2001; Arulmozhi et al., 2004; Nugroho, 2006).