%0 Journal Article
%T <i>Cucurbita ficifolia</i> Bouché Regulates the Metabolism of Carbohydrates and Lipids in Liver by Activation of PPAR<i>¦Á</i> without Affectation on PPAR<i>¦Ã in Vivo</i> and <i>in Vitro</i>
%A Julio Cesar Almanza-Perez
%A Vladimir Hernandez-Rosado
%A Angeles Fortis-Barrera
%A Gerardo Blancas-Flores
%A Edgar Alarcon-Villase£¿or
%A Jose Luis Flores-Saenz
%A Wendoline Rosiles-Alanis
%A Francisco Javier Alarcon-Aguilar
%J American Journal of Plant Sciences
%P 763-781
%@ 2158-2750
%D 2023
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ajps.2023.147051
%X Diabetes mellitus control in Mexico is practiced by using antidiabetic
agents and, by empirical way using medicinal plants. <i>Cucurbita</i> <i>ficifolia</i> (<i>C.</i> <i>ficifolia</i>) has been
attributed with hypoglycemic, hypotriglyceridemic, and anti-inflam</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">- </span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">matory effects, and D-chiro-inositol (DCI),
4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and <i>¦Â</i>-sitosterol
were proposed as active principles. The last two compounds were suggested as
activators of two transcription factors, PPAR<i>¦Á</i> and PPAR<i>¦Ã</i>, in C2C12
myocytes, which participate in <i>¦Â</i>-oxidation
of fatty acids and insulin <span>sensitivity.
However, the involvement of the hepatocytic and adipocytic PPARs </span>in the
effects of <i>C.</i> <i>ficifolia</i> has not yet been explored. This research aimed to determine the effects of <i>C.</i> <i>ficifolia</i> on PPAR<i>¦Á</i>, PPAR<i>¦Ã</i>, and inflammatory cytokines in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
diabetes mice, HepG2 hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, implicating two
additional cell types associated with metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids.
STZ-induced diabetes mice received <i>C.</i> <i>ficifolia</i> (200 mg/kg/day) for 30 days, measuring serum
cytokines (TNF-<i>¦Á</i> and IL-6). RNA was
extracted from liver. Besides, HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells were incubated (24 h)
with <i>C.</i> <i>ficifolia</i> (0.078 mM DCI), using pioglitazone or <span>fenofibrate
as controls. RNA was also extracted from cells and PCR in real-time</span> was
performed to determinate PPAR<i>¦Á</i> and
PPAR<i>¦Ã</i> expression. In diabetic
animals, <i>C.</i> <i>ficifolia</i> decreased glycemia and body weight, decreasing the expression level of TNF-<i>¦Á</i> and IL-6. In addition, <i>C.</i> <i>ficifolia</i> increased PPAR<i>¦Á</i> expression in liver of diabetic
animals, in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells; PPAR<i>¦Ã</i> expression only significantly increased in HepG2 cells. The data suggest that
the effects on the glycemia and lipids of <i>C.</i> <i>ficifolia</i> and its anti-inflammatory effects imply,
besides skeletal muscle cells, hepatic and adipocytic PPAR<i>¦Á</i> activation, without affectation on PPAR<i>¦Ã</i>. PPARs regulation by C. ficifolia may improve the metabolic
dysfunctions associated with metabolic disease, controlling the intake,
activation, and oxidation of fatty acids and lipid storage.
%K &lt
%K i&gt
%K Cucurbita ficifolia&lt
%K /i&gt
%K Diabetes Mellitus
%K Hypoglycemic Plants
%K Anti-Inflammatory Plants
%K PPARs
%K PPAR&lt
%K i&gt
%K ¦Á&lt
%K /i&gt
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=126446