Pilosocereus gounellei (Cactaceae) stem extract decreases insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardio-metabolic risk in diet-induced obese mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pilosocereus gounellei (xique-xique) is a popular cactus from Caatinga, traditionally used to counter inflammatory processes and indicated as a hypoglycemic agent. Previous studies have shown that mice treated orally with saline extract of P. gounellei stem (containing flavonoids and sugars) showed decreased serum lipid levels.

Aim of the study: In this work, we evaluated whether this extract would have beneficial effects against hyperglycemia and inflammatory status related to obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods: Obese animals were treated daily per os with the extract (EXT; 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg), metformin (MET; 400 mg/kg), or saline solution (diet-induced obese, DIO) for 21 days. A group of non-obese animals served as the control. We evaluated lipid profile, glucose and insulin tolerance, atherogenic indices, histological alterations, cytokine levels, and oxidative stress in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue.

Results: At the end of the experiment, mice from EXT groups showed lower body weight and total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides compared with the DIO group; in addition, HDL-cholesterol levels and glucose and insulin tolerance were similar to those of the control group. When compared with the DIO group, the extract-treated mice showed reduction in cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, atherogenic index of plasma, and Castelli's Risk Index II; decrease in epididymal fat; reduction in steatosis, collagen deposition, and liver inflammation; lower serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1); inhibited lipid peroxidation; and increased superoxide dismutase levels in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue.

Conclusion: The P. gounellei saline extract was able to improve physiological parameters of obese mice, which highlight the potential of this plant as source of compounds with biotechnological relevance for pharmaceutical industry.

Keywords: Caatinga; inflammation; obesity; oxidative stress; xique-xique.