Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) Fruit Extract Improves Physical Fatigue and Exercise Performance in Mice

Wang, Shih-Yi; Huang, Wen-Ching; Liu, Chieh-Chung; Wang, Mingfu; Ho, Chen Hsun; Huang, Wen-Pei; Hou, Chia-Chung; Chuang, Hsiao-Li; Huang, Chi‐Chang

doi:10.3390/molecules171011864

Cited by 93 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The results of the present study indicate that the C. ficifolia hypoglycemic effect might be due, at least in part, to an increased storage of glycogen in the liver, which was confirmed by PAS staining, like a consequence of increased glycogen synthase. This finding is similar to those of other Cucurbitaceae species with similar effects, such as Cucurbita moschata, which also increased muscle glycogen levels and improved the physical performance in mice (Wang et al, 2012). The response of a normal liver to a glucose load involves the sequential inactivation of glycogen phosphorylase and the activation of glycogen synthase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in glycogen synthesis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

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

Jessica¹,

Mario²,

Zamilpa³

et al. 2017

Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med

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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.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

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

Jessica¹,

Mario²,

Zamilpa³

et al. 2017

Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med

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“…The mice were allowed to grip the pull bar on the grip wire with only their front paws was steadily pulled back until they lost their grip with the metal bar. The detailed procedures have been described in our previous reports [21,22]. The test of forelimb grip strength was performed after administration of the indicated CAP supplementation for 4 weeks.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Liver and muscle tissues were excised and stored in −80 °C for glycogen content analysis as we described previously [22]. The weights of related visceral organs were also recorded for body compositions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capsaicin Supplementation Reduces Physical Fatigue and Improves Exercise Performance in Mice

et al. 2016

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Chili pepper is used as a food, seasoning and has been revered for its medicinal and health claims. It is very popular and is the most common spice worldwide. Capsaicin (CAP) is a major pungent and bioactive phytochemical in chili peppers. CAP has been shown to improve mitochondrial biogenesis and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. However, there is limited evidence around the effects of CAP on physical fatigue and exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of CAP on anti-fatigue and ergogenic functions following physiological challenge. Female Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice from four groups (n = 8 per group) were orally administered CAP for 4 weeks at 0, 205, 410, and 1025 mg/kg/day, which were respectively designated the vehicle, CAP-1X, CAP-2X, and CAP-5X groups. The anti-fatigue activity and exercise performance was evaluated using forelimb grip strength, exhaustive swimming time, and levels of serum lactate, ammonia, glucose, BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatine kinase (CK) after a 15-min swimming exercise. The grip strength and exhaustive swimming time of the CAP-5X group were significantly higher than other groups. CAP supplementation dose-dependently reduced serum lactate, ammonia, BUN and CK levels, and increased glucose concentration after the 15-min swimming test. In addition, CAP also increased hepatic glycogen content, an important energy source for exercise. The possible mechanism was relevant to energy homeostasis and the physiological modulations by CAP supplementation. Therefore, our results suggest that CAP supplementation may have a wide spectrum of bioactivities for promoting health, performance improvement and fatigue amelioration.

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“…The tank was maintained at 28ºC during the swimming process and the endurance for each mouse was measured as swimming time recorded from the beginning of the time to exhaustion, defined by observing uncoordinated movements and failure to return to the surface within 7 s. The time of floating, struggling and making necessary movements was assessed until possible drowning and exhaustion. The other details of the exhaustive swimming exercise were previously described 7, 9.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of physical performance and biochemical profile of mice with intrinsic endurance swimming

Huang¹,

Hsu²,

Wei³

et al. 2016

Int. J. Med. Sci.

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We aimed to investigate the potential mediators and relationship affecting congenital exercise performance in an animal model with physical activity challenge from physiological and biochemical perspectives. A total of 75 male ICR mice (5 weeks old) were adapted for 1 week, then mice performed a non-loading and exhaustive swimming test and were assigned to 3 groups by exhaustive swimming time: low exercise capacity (LEC) (<3 hr), medium exercise capacity (MEC) (3-5 hr), and high exercise capacity (HEC) (>5 hr). After a 1-week rest, the 3 groups of mice performed an exhaustive swimming test with a 5% and 7.5% weight load and a forelimb grip-strength test, with a 1-week rest between tests. Blood samples were collected immediately after an acute exercise challenge and at the end of the experiment (resting status) to evaluate biochemical blood variables and their relation with physical performance. Physical activity, including exhaustive swimming and grip strength, was greater for HEC than other mice. The swimming performance and grip strength between groups were moderately correlated (r=0.443, p<0.05). Resting serum ammonium level was moderately correlated with endurance with a 7.5% weight load (r=-0.447, p<0.05) and with lactate level (r=0.598, p<0.05). The pulmonary morphology of the HEC group seemed to indicate benefits for aerobic exercise. Mice showed congenital exercise performance, which was significantly correlated with different physical challenges and biochemical variable values. This study may have implications for interference in intrinsic characteristics

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Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) Fruit Extract Improves Physical Fatigue and Exercise Performance in Mice

Cited by 93 publications

References 25 publications

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

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

Capsaicin Supplementation Reduces Physical Fatigue and Improves Exercise Performance in Mice

Association of physical performance and biochemical profile of mice with intrinsic endurance swimming

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