title: Cucurbita ficifolia (Cucurbitaceae) modulates inflammatory cytokines and IFN-γ in obese mice.
abstract: This study investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché on systemic chronic inflammation in an obesity model induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) via modulating the expression of adipokines (TNF-α, IL-6, resistin, and adiponectin) and immune-regulatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-10). Cucurbita ficifolia extract was administered daily by gavage to lean and MSG-obese mice for 30 days. At the end of treatment, cytokine mRNA expression in adipose tissue was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the protein levels of these cytokines were also quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cucurbita ficifolia extract decreased body mass and inflammation in MSG-obese mice by reducing the expression of TNF-α and IL-6; these decreases were parallel to significant reductions in protein levels. The extract also increased protein levels of IL-10 in lean mice and IFN-γ in both lean and MSG-obese mice. In conclusion, C. ficifolia extract modulates systemic chronic inflammation in MSG-obese mice and could have a beneficial effect on the adaptive immune system in obesity.
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, Division of Health and Biological Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University of Iztapalapa, 186 S. San Rafael Atlixco, Col. Vicentina, 09340, México, D.F.
authors.forename: Á
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Fortis-Barrera
authors.affiliation: b Hospital of Specialties, CMNSXXI, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), 330 S. Cuauhtémoc, Col. Doctores, 06720, México, D.F.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García-Macedo
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, Division of Health and Biological Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University of Iztapalapa, 186 S. San Rafael Atlixco, Col. Vicentina, 09340, México, D.F.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Almanza-Perez
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, Division of Health and Biological Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University of Iztapalapa, 186 S. San Rafael Atlixco, Col. Vicentina, 09340, México, D.F.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blancas-Flores
authors.affiliation: c South Biomedical Research Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Argentina No. 1, Xochitepec, 62790, Morelos, México.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zamilpa-Alvarez
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, Division of Health and Biological Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University of Iztapalapa, 186 S. San Rafael Atlixco, Col. Vicentina, 09340, México, D.F.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Flores-Sáenz
authors.affiliation: b Hospital of Specialties, CMNSXXI, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), 330 S. Cuauhtémoc, Col. Doctores, 06720, México, D.F.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, Division of Health and Biological Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University of Iztapalapa, 186 S. San Rafael Atlixco, Col. Vicentina, 09340, México, D.F.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Román-Ramos
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, Division of Health and Biological Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University of Iztapalapa, 186 S. San Rafael Atlixco, Col. Vicentina, 09340, México, D.F.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Alarcón-Aguilar
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000737:chemistry*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012970:Sodium Glutamate
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D016207:Cytokines; C000611649:IFNG protein, mouse; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D012970:Sodium Glutamate
keywords: Cucurbita ficifolia; IFN-γ; cytokines inflammatoires; glutamate monosodique; inflammatory cytokines; monosodium glutamate; obesity; obésité