Capparis spinosa improves the high fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in rats: the possible role of FGF21

Diabetes and diabesity in the view of proteomics, drug, and plant-derived remedies

Diabetes and obesity are highly prevalent in the world. Proteomics is a promising approach to better understanding enzymes, proteins, and signaling molecules involved in diabetes processes which help recognize the basis of the disease better and find suitable new treatments. This study aimed to summarize the molecular mechanisms from the beginning of insulin secretion in response to stimuli to the pathology of the insulin signaling pathway and, finally, the mechanisms of drugs/chemicals remedies that affect this process. The titles and subtitles of this process were determined, and then for each of them, the articles searched in PubMed and ScienceDirect were used. This review article starts the discussion with the molecular basis of insulin biosynthesis, secretion, insulin's mechanism of action, and molecular aspect of diabetes and diabesity (a new term showing the relation between diabetes and obesity) and ends with the drug and plant-derived intervention for hyperglycemia.

The Current State of Knowledge about the Biological Activity of Different Parts of Capers

The caper, from the Latin capra, meaning goat, is the common name for the salt-fermented floral buds of the perennial shrubs of the Capparis genus (Capparacea family). This genus is represented by about 250 species, including the very popular C. spinosa L. While the whole plant is edible, the aromatic floral buds are most widely consumed, being collected by hand prior to blooming, dried in the sun and pickled. Capers are usually served marinated in vinegar, brine or oil. They have a significant potential as dietary supplements due to their low calorie content and richness in bioactive phytochemicals. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that C. spinosa have various nutritional and biological properties, including antioxidant activity resulting from the presence of phenolic compounds. The present paper reviews the current literature concerning the biological properties of the fruits, buds, seeds, roots and leaves of C. spinosa, including their toxicity.

Capparis spinosa improves non-alcoholic steatohepatitis through down-regulating SREBP-1c and a PPARα-independent pathway in high-fat diet-fed rats

Objective

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has become a global medical problem. Currently, there is no approved pharmacologic treatment for this condition. Previous studies have suggested that in the pathogenesis of this disease, regulatory pathways associated with de novo lipogenesis and β-oxidation pathways genes are misregulated. Capparis spinosa (CS) belongs to the family of Capparidaceae and is a traditional plant used to treat various diseases, particularly dyslipidemia. The compounds and extracts of this plant in In vivo and in vitro studies resulted in a reduction in lipid profiles and glucose. However, the mechanism of these effects remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of (CS) fruit extract on NASH compared to fenofibrate and explored the related molecular mechanism.

Results

In the rats (n = 40) model of NASH, biochemical and histopathological examinations showed that liver steatosis, inflammation, and hepatic fibrosis were markedly attenuated in response to CS and fenofibrate interventions. At the molecular level, CS treatment down-regulated sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) (p < 0.001), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) (p < 0.001), and up-regulated Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1) expression (p < 0.001). In conclusion, CS has favorable therapeutic effects for NASH, which was associated with ameliorating steatosis and fibrosis via regulation of the DNL and β-oxidation pathway genes.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-022-06205-x.