Cameroonian Spice Extracts Modulate Molecular Mechanisms Relevant to Cardiometabolic Diseases in SW 872 Human Liposarcoma Cells

Abstract

The molecular pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases is known to be influenced by dysfunctional ectopic adipose tissue. In addition to lifestyle improvements, these conditions may be managed by novel nutraceutical products. This study evaluatedthe effects of 11 Cameroonian medicinal spice extracts on triglyceride accumulation, glucose uptake, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and interleukin secretion in SW 872 human adipocytes after differentiation with 100 µM oleic acid. Triglyceride content was significantly reduced by all spice extracts. Glucose uptake was significantly increased by <i>Tetrapleura tetraptera</i>, <i>Aframomum melegueta</i> and <i>Zanthoxylum leprieurii</i>. Moreover, <i>Xylopia parviflora</i>, <i>Echinops giganteus</i> and <i>Dichrostachys glomerata</i> significantly reduced the production of ROS. Concerning pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, we observed that <i>Tetrapleura tetraptera</i>, <i>Echinops giganteus</i>, <i>Dichrostachys glomerata</i> and <i>Aframomum melegueta</i> reduced IL-6 secretion. In addition, <i>Xylopia parviflora</i>, <i>Monodora myristica</i>, <i>Zanthoxylum leprieurii</i>, and <i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> reduced IL-8 secretion, while <i>Dichrostachys glomerata</i> and <i>Aframomum citratum</i> increased it. These findings highlight some interesting properties of these Cameroonian spice extracts in the modulation of cellular parameters relevant to cardiometabolic diseases, which may be further exploited, aiming to develop novel treatment options for these conditions based on nutraceutical products.