Pro ‑differentiating compounds for human intervertebral disc cells are present in Violina pumpkin leaf extracts

Int J Mol Med. 2023 May;51(5):39. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5242. Epub 2023 Apr 7.ABSTRACTIntervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is closely associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and loss of the discogenic phenotype, which current therapies are unable to reverse. In the present study, the effects of acetone extract from Violina pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) leaves on degenerated IVD cells were investigated. IVD cells were isolated from the degenerated disc tissue of patients undergoing spinal surgery and were exposed to acetone extract and three major thin layer chromatography subfractions. The results revealed that, in particular, the cells benefited from exposure to subfraction Fr7, which consisted almost entirely of p‑Coumaric acid. Western blot and immunocytochemical analysis showed that Fr7 induced a significant increase in discogenic transcription factors (SOX9 and tricho‑rhino‑phalangeal syndrome type I protein, zinc finger protein), extracellular matrix components (aggrecan, collagen type II), cellular homeostasis and stress response regulators, such as FOXO3a, nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2, superoxide dismutase 2 and sirtuin 1. Two important markers related to the presence and activity of stem cells, migratory capacity and OCT4 expression, were assessed by scratch assay and western blotting, respectively, and were significantly increased in Fr7‑treated cells. Moreover, Fr7 counteracted H2O2‑triggered cell damage, preventing increas...
Source: International Journal of Molecular Medicine - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Source Type: research