Cucurbitacin E reduces obesity and related metabolic dysfunction in mice by targeting JAK-STAT5 signaling pathway

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 9;12(6):e0178910. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178910. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Several members of cucurbitaceae family have been reported to regulate growth of cancer by interfering with STAT3 signaling. In the present study, we investigated the unique role and molecular mechanism of cucurbitacins (Cucs) in reducing symptoms of metabolic syndrome in mice. Cucurbitacin E (CuE) was found to reduce adipogenesis in murine adipocytes. CuE treatment diminished hypertrophy of adipocytes, visceral obesity and lipogenesis gene expression in diet induced mice model of metabolic syndrome (MetS). CuE also ameliorated adipose tissue dysfunction by reducing hyperleptinemia and TNF-alpha levels and enhancing hypoadiponectinemia. Results show that CuE mediated these effects by attenuating Jenus kinase- Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (JAK- STAT5) signaling in visceral fat tissue. As a result, CuE treatment also reduced PPAR gamma expression. Glucose uptake enhanced in adipocytes after stimulation with CuE and insulin resistance diminished in mice treated with CuE, as reflected by reduced glucose intolerance and glucose stimulated insulin secretion. CuE restored insulin sensitivity indirectly by inhibiting JAK phosphorylation and improving AMPK activity. Consequently, insulin signaling was up-regulated in mice muscle. As CuE positively regulated adipose tissue function and suppressed visceral obesity, dyslipedemia, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in mice model of MetS, we suggest that CuE can be used as novel approach to treat metabolic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Adipogenesis / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Janus Kinases / metabolism*
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Triterpenes / chemistry
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Lipids
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • Triterpenes
  • Janus Kinases
  • Glucose
  • cucurbitacin E

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant from the International Federation for Science (IFS grant no: F/5774-1) to RSW. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.