Pumpkin (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché) extract attenuate the adipogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells by controlling adipogenic gene expression

Prevention and management of obesity through dietary modification is one of the top way to trim down its consequences. Development of adipose tissue requires the differentiation of less specialized cells, such as human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), into adipocytes. Since food constituents play a major role in the cell differentiation and proliferation, we sought to determine if various extracts of Cucurbita ficifolia (C. ficifolia), could affect the adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Flow cytometry analysis with quantitative and qualitative Nile red, and quantitative PCR methods were employed to evaluate the C. ficifolia effect on hMSCs adipogenesis. Results revealed that, chloroform extract exhibits significant adipogenic inhibition than that of hexane and methanol extracts. Chloroform extract treated cells display the down-regulation of ADIPOQ, FABP4, PPARGC1A, CEBPB & LPL and up-regulation of ACACB & CEBPA genes. Further, various phytoconstituents present in the chloroform extract of C. ficifolia were analyzed though LC-MS and GC-MS. Our results indicates that chloroform extract of C. ficifolia might be used as a food supplement to control obesity and its related consequences.