Back to Search Start Over

Citrullus mucosospermus Extract Exerts Protective Effects against Methionine- and Choline-Deficient Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice

Authors :
Sun Young Park
Ji Eun Kim
He Mi Kang
Ki Ho Park
Byoung Il Je
Ki Won Lee
Dae Youn Hwang
Young Whan Choi
Source :
Foods, Vol 13, Iss 13, p 2101 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in exploring the potential therapeutic advantages of Citrullus mucosospermus extracts (CME) for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of CME on NASH using a mice model. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to identify cucurbitacin E and cucurbitacin E-2-O-glucoside from the CME. Although CME did not significantly alter the serum lipid levels in methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) mice, it demonstrated a protective effect against MCD diet-induced liver damage. CME reduced histological markers, reduced alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartame transaminase (AST) levels, and modulated key NASH-related genes, including C/EBPα, PPARγ, Fas, and aP2. In addition, CME was found to restore hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) activity, both crucial for fat catabolism, and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, CME demonstrated the potential to mitigate oxidative stress by maintaining or enhancing the activation and expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), both pivotal players in antioxidant defense mechanisms. These findings underscore the promising therapeutic potential of CME in ameliorating liver damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress associated with NASH.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23048158
Volume :
13
Issue :
13
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Foods
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.377af73b1d044bfb8b9e3c3f96a740d7
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13132101