Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Hypoglycemic Fraction fromCucurbita ficifoliaBouché in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mice

Abstract

<jats:p>Type 2 diabetes is characterized by oxidative stress and a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, which also play roles in the pathogenesis of this disease and the accompanying vascular complications by increasing the production of free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché (C. ficifolia) is an edible Mexican plant whose hypoglycemic activity has been demonstrated in several experimental and clinical conditions. Recently, D-chiro-inositol has been proposed as the compound responsible for the hypoglycemic effects; however, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of this plant has not yet been explored. The aim of this research is to study the influence of a hypoglycemic, D-chiro-inositol-containing fraction from the C. ficifolia fruit (AP-Fraction) on biomarkers of oxidative stress, as well as on the inflammatory cytokines in streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The AP-Fraction obtained from the mature fruit of C. ficifolia contained 3.31 mg of D-chiro-inositol/g of AP-Fraction. The AP-Fraction was administrated daily by gavage to normal mice for 15 days as a preventive treatment. Then these animals were given streptozotocin, and the treatments were continued for an additional 33 days. Pioglitazone was used as a hypoglycemic drug for comparison. Administration of the AP-Fraction significantly increased glutathione (GSH) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver without significantly affecting the levels in other tissues. The AP-Fraction reduced TNF-α and increased IL-6 and IFN-γ in serum. Interestingly, the AP-Fraction also increased IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. These results suggest that C. ficifolia might be used as an alternative medication for the control of diabetes mellitus and that it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its hypoglycemic activity.</jats:p>

C ucurbita ficifolia Bouché (Cucurbitaceae) and D-chiro-inositol modulate the redox state and inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

“…Treatment with C. ficifolia extract increased IL‐6 secretion, unlike treatment with DCI. Consistent with our results, in diabetic mice this extract increases the serum levels of IL‐6 . We propose that the increase in IL‐6 levels may have an effect on lipid metabolism similar to that reported with chito‐oligosaccharide.…”

“…The fruit juice prepared from this plant has a hypoglycaemic effect in animals with experimental diabetes and in T2D patients . We recently demonstrated that the aqueous C. ficifolia extract has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects, in addition to a glucose‐lowering effect, in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice . Apparently, the hypoglycaemic effect is due to the extract's content of D‐chiro‐inositol (DCI), which is part of the structure of inositol phosphoglycans.…”

“…[3] We recently demonstrated that the aqueous C. ficifolia extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, in addition to a glucose-lowering effect, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. [4,5] Apparently, the hypoglycaemic effect is due to the extract's content of D-chiro-inositol (DCI), [6] which is part Oxidative stress and a proinflammatory state are involved in the development of obesity, T2D and their vascular complications. [12][13][14] In this context, an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species modifies the redox state of adipose tissue because of the decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX).…”

Effect of an aqueous extract of Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché on the glutathione redox cycle in mice with STZ-induced diabetes

“…The antioxidant action of C. ficifolia has been partially evaluated by general markers of oxidative stress, including, increased amounts thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) derived of lipid peroxidation, and GSH depletion. In this context, C. ficifolia reduces lipid peroxidation in pancreas of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes (Xia and Wang, 2007), also, a partial purified fraction of C. ficifolia (aqueous precipitate fraction) increase reduced glutathione (GSH) and decrease TBARS in liver and hearth of diabetic mice (Roman-Ramos et al, 2012). However, the mechanism involved in its antioxidant action and its effect on glutathione metabolism, and redox state, has not been completely studied.…”

The “Other” Inositols and Their Phosphates: Synthesis, Biology, and Medicine (with Recent Advances inmyo‐Inositol Chemistry)

“…[101] An extract of C. ficifolia, and synthetic D-chiro-inositol, both reduced oxidative stress as measured by changes in the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione in murine adipocytes: D-chiro-inositol, but not the plant extract, demonstrated insulin mimetic action. [102] Pumpkin seeds contain several molecules, including D-chiro-inositol, reported to have anti-glycemic effects and the seeds help maintain glycemic control. [103] Insulin prevents damage caused by the synaptic accumulation of amyloid β oligomers and this effect is enhanced by the presence of D-chiro-inositol.…”