RESUMO
Objective: To investigate anti-dyslipidemic effects of hydroalcoholic fenugreek seed extracts, diosgenin, and 4-OH-Ile on HepG2 cell line. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with hydroalcoholic fenugreek seed extracts, diosgenin, 4-OH-Ile, and orlistat. IC20 was calculated using the MTT method. The cells were then pre-treated with IC20 concentrations for 24 and 48 h. Real time PCR was employed to measure expression of liver X receptor alpha (LXRα), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1C (SREBP-1C), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Results: The results showed that LXRα (P=0.003, P<0.001), SREBP-1C (P<0.001, P<0.001), ACC (P=0.002, P=0.006), and FAS (P<0.001, P<0.001) were downregulated significantly, while FGF21 (P<0.001, P<0.001), PPARγ (P=0.004, P<0.001), and LDLR (P<0.001, P<0.001) were upregulated significantly in HepG2 cells treated with the IC20 of hydroalcoholic fenugreek seed extracts, diosgenin, 4-OH-Ile, and orlistat in 24 and 48 h, respectively. Conclusions: Hydroalcoholic fenugreek seed extracts, diosgenin, and 4-OH-Ile significantly modulate the expression of some important lipid metabolism related genes, which is similar to orlistat. Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract or its derivatives should be further investigated for their dyslipidemia effects and its complications.
RESUMO
Objective: To investigate the effect of crocin carotenoid on BNDF and CREB gene expression in the brain ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the serum level of BDNF in morphine-treated rats compared to control. Methods: In this study, 40 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were used in 5 experimental groups: 1) non morphine treat rats (control); 2) non morphine-treated rats with 25 mg/kg crocin carotenoid (i.p., for 21 d); 3) morphine treated rats (10 mg/kg twice a day, s.c., 21 d); 4 and 5) morphine-treated rats with 12.5 and 25 mg/kg crocin carotenoid, respectively. By the end of research, BDNF and CREB expression was determined by real-time-PCR method. ELISA analysis was also applied for assessing the serum BDNF level. Results: The data indicated that morphine treatment could cause a significant decrease in BDNF and CREB gene expression (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively) in brain VTA as well as serum level of BDNF (P<0.01) in comparison to control group. Treatment with 25 mg/kg crocin carotenoid caused a significant enhancement in BDNF and CREF gene expression (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively) and serum level of BDNF (P<0.01) in morphine-treated rats in comparison to morphine-treated group. Conclusions: Regarding to obtained results, crocin carotenoid can inhibit unfavorable effects of morphine on the neural system to some extent through enhancing BDNF and CREB gene expression in brain VTA and serum level of BDNF.
