A Picrocrocin-Enriched Fraction from a Saffron Extract Affects Lipid Homeostasis in HepG2 Cells through a Non-Statin-like Mode

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder associated with the loss of the physiological homeostasis that ensures safe levels of lipids in the organism. This metabolic disorder can trigger pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. In this regard, statins currently represent the main pharmacological therapy, but their contraindications and side effects limit their use. This is stimulating the search for new therapeutic strategies. In this work, we investigated in HepG2 cells the hypolipidemic potential of a picrocrocin-enriched fraction, analyzed by high-resolution 1H NMR and obtained from a saffron extract, the stigmas of Crocus sativus L., a precious spice that has already displayed interesting biological properties. Spectrophotometric assays, as well as expression level of the main enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, have highlighted the interesting hypolipidemic effects of this natural compound; they seem to be exerted through a non-statin-like mechanism. Overall, this work provides new insights into the metabolic effects of picrocrocin, thus confirming the biological potential of saffron and paving the way for in vivo studies that could validate this spice or its phytocomplexes as useful adjuvants in balancing blood lipid homeostasis.

Crocus sativus L. Extract (Saffron) Effectively Reduces Arthritic and Inflammatory Parameters in Monotherapy and in Combination with Methotrexate in Adjuvant Arthritis

“…The saffron extract, either with or without MTX, decreased CD36 gene expression (the lower dose significantly; the higher dose non-significantly), which might result in lower hepatic FA uptake and contribute to lipid homeostasis. The hypolipidemic potential of a picrocrocin-enriched fraction (obtained from an extract of saffron made from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L.) was examined in HepG2 cells in a study by Frattaruolo et al (2023) [93]. The authors of this study offered new perspectives on the metabolic effects of picrocrocin, which appear to be mediated by a mechanism distinct from that of statins [93].…”

“…The hypolipidemic potential of a picrocrocin-enriched fraction (obtained from an extract of saffron made from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L.) was examined in HepG2 cells in a study by Frattaruolo et al (2023) [93]. The authors of this study offered new perspectives on the metabolic effects of picrocrocin, which appear to be mediated by a mechanism distinct from that of statins [93]. However, the precise mechanism of saffron's action on the lipid metabolism in arthritic livers needs to be elucidated.…”

Propriedades funcionais do açafrão, cebola e alho no combate à dislipidemia, uma revisão integrativa

“…Também é capaz de aliviar a inflamação, com a supressão da expressão de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e aumento dos níveis de citocinas anti-inflamatórias (LI et al, 2017). E a picrocrocina apresenta propriedades hipolipidêmicas, observou-se um notável aumento no nível de expressão de LDLR (Receptor de Lipoproteína de Baixa Densidade), sugerindo um possível aumento na recaptação de LDL-c, consequentemente diminuindo os níveis de colesterol, o que reduz assim, o risco cardiovascular (FRATTARUOLO et al, 2023). Além disso, o açafrão apresenta a crocetina que também é um fitoconstituinte carotenoide, com ação antioxidante e anti-inflamatória, que reduz o índice de risco coronariano e aterogênico, e também as razões LDL/HDL e CT/HDL; e no fígado inibe a HMG-CoA redutase (coenzima A redutase 3-hidroxi-3-metil-glutaril), uma enzima que produz colesterol e isoprenóides (YU et al, 2021).…”

Generation of a Yeast Cell Model Potentially Useful to Identify the Mammalian Mitochondrial N-Acetylglutamate Transporter

“…901501; BioLegend, London, UK) primary antibody overnight at 4 • C. A rabbit antiserum against yeast Aac2p, a kind gift from L. Pelosi, was used for protein normalization [51,52]. Membranes were washed with TBS and Tween 20 and incubated with the appropriate dilution of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated secondary antibody for 1 h at room temperature and washed again [53][54][55]. The SuperSignal West Pico PLUS Chemiluminescent Substrate (no.…”