Chemical Characterization of a Hypoglycemic Extract From Cucurbita Ficifolia Bouche That Induces Liver Glycogen Accumulation in Diabetic Mice.

Abstract

Background: The aqueous extract of Cucurbita ficifolia (C. ficifolia) fruit has demonstrated hypoglycemic effect, which may be attributed to some components in the extract. However, the major secondary metabolites in this fruit have not yet been identified and little is known about its extra-pancreatic action, in particular, on liver carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, in addition to the isolation and structural elucidation of the principal components in the aqueous extract of C. ficifolia, the aim of this study was to determine whether or not the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of Cucurbita ficifolia (C. ficifolia) fruit is due to accumulation of liver glycogen in diabetic mice. Materials and Methods:The aqueous extract from fruit of C. ficifolia was fractionated and its main secondary metabolites were purified and chemically characterized (NMR and GC-MS). Alloxan-induced diabetic mice received daily by gavage the aqueous extract (30 days). The liver glycogen content was quantified by spectroscopic method and by PAS stain; ALT and AST by spectrometric method; glycogen synthase, glycogen phosphorylase and GLUT2 by Western blot; the mRNA expression of GLUT2 and glucagon-receptor by RT-PCR; while serum insulin was quantified by ELISA method. A liver histological analysis was also performed by H&E stain. Results: Chemical fingerprint showed five majoritarian compounds in the aqueous extract of C. ficifolia: p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicin, stigmast-7,2,2-dien-3-ol and stigmast-7-en-3-ol. The histological analysis showed accumulation of liver glycogen. Also, increased glycogen synthase and decreased glycogen phosphorylase were observed. Interestingly, the histological architecture evidenced a liver-protective effect due the extract. Conclusion: Five compounds were identified in C. ficifolia aqueous extract. The hypoglycemic effect of this extract may be partially explained by liver glycogen accumulation. The bioactive compound responsible for the hypoglycemic effect of this extract will be elucidated in subsequent studies.

Histopathological Alteration in STZ-Nicotinamide Diabetic Rats, a Complication of Diabetes or a Toxicity of STZ?

“…MTD showed insignificant congestion and insignificant vacuolation, Metformin improved glycemic control and rats treated with metformin showed minor hepatic histopathological changes that were compatible with hyperglycemia emphasizing that hydropic degeneration was caused by diabetes. These findings are in a good agreement with several previous studies, which reported similar histopathological changes following induction of diabetes using STZ [40][41][42].…”

Isolation and characterization of Stigmasta-7, 22-dien-3-ol (α-Spinasterol) from Entada africana stem bark crude extract

“…These observations are consistent with literature (Fufa et al, 2018). On the strength of spectra evidence (Table 2 & appendix 1) and in comparison with literature reports (Jessica et al, 2017), Enac3 is Stigmasta-7, 22-dien-3-ol (αspinasterol) with the molecular structure below (Figure 1). Alpha(α)-Spinasterol was reportedly found to exhibit interesting biological properties such as the demonstration of antiproliferative activity against the cancer cell lines HeLa and RAW 264.7 (Meneses-Sagrero et al, 2017).…”

“…Alpha(α)-Spinasterol was reportedly found to exhibit interesting biological properties such as the demonstration of antiproliferative activity against the cancer cell lines HeLa and RAW 264.7 (Meneses-Sagrero et al, 2017). It was also found to cause reduction in cholesterol levels of plasma and liver and possesses anti-inflammatory properties (Jessica et al, 2017).…”

Cucurbita Plants: From Farm to Industry

“…Among them, tyrosol was the most abundant compound, ranging from 1.58 mg/kg to 17.69 mg/kg. Five major compounds in C. ficifolia fruit aqueous extract were identified by Jessica et al [91] as: p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicin, stigmast-7,2,2-dien-3-ol and stigmast-7-en-3-ol. On the other hand, Peričin et al [92] assessed the phenolic acids content of C. pepo seeds.…”