Open Access

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

  • Authors:
    • Elisabetta Lambertini
    • Letizia Penolazzi
    • Maria Pina Notarangelo
    • Serena Fiorito
    • Francesco Epifano
    • Assunta Pandolfi
    • Roberta Piva
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 4, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2023.5242
  • Article Number: 39
  • Copyright: © Lambertini et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Intervertebral 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 increases in the pro‑inflammatory and anti‑chondrogenic microRNA (miR), miR‑221. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that adequate stimuli can support resident cells to repopulate the degenerated IVD and restart the anabolic machinery. Taken together, these data contribute to the discovery of molecules potentially effective in slowing the progression of IDD, a disease for which there is currently no effective treatment. Moreover, the use of part of a plant, the pumpkin leaves, which is usually considered a waste product in the Western world, indicated that it contains substances with potential beneficial effects on human health.
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May-2023
Volume 51 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Lambertini E, Penolazzi L, Notarangelo MP, Fiorito S, Epifano F, Pandolfi A and Piva R: Pro‑differentiating compounds for human intervertebral disc cells are present in Violina pumpkin leaf extracts. Int J Mol Med 51: 39, 2023
APA
Lambertini, E., Penolazzi, L., Notarangelo, M.P., Fiorito, S., Epifano, F., Pandolfi, A., & Piva, R. (2023). Pro‑differentiating compounds for human intervertebral disc cells are present in Violina pumpkin leaf extracts. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 51, 39. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2023.5242
MLA
Lambertini, E., Penolazzi, L., Notarangelo, M. P., Fiorito, S., Epifano, F., Pandolfi, A., Piva, R."Pro‑differentiating compounds for human intervertebral disc cells are present in Violina pumpkin leaf extracts". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 51.5 (2023): 39.
Chicago
Lambertini, E., Penolazzi, L., Notarangelo, M. P., Fiorito, S., Epifano, F., Pandolfi, A., Piva, R."Pro‑differentiating compounds for human intervertebral disc cells are present in Violina pumpkin leaf extracts". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 51, no. 5 (2023): 39. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2023.5242