Chilean Native Fruit Extracts Inhibit Inflammation Linked to the Pathogenic Interaction Between Adipocytes and Macrophages

Abstract

Obesity is characterized by an increase in the infiltration of monocytes into the adipose tissue, causing an inflammatory condition associated with, for example, the development of insulin resistance. Thus, anti-inflammatory-based treatments could emerge as a novel and interesting approach. It has been reported that Chilean native fruits maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) and calafate (Berberis microphylla) present high contents of polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of extracts of these fruits to block the pathogenic interaction between adipocytes and macrophages in vitro and to compare its effect with blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) extract treatment, which has been already described to possess several biomedical benefits. RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with 5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharides (LPS), with conditioned media (CM) from fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, or in a coculture (CC) with 3T3-L1 adipocytes, in the presence or absence of 100 μM [total polyphenolic content] of each extract for 24 h. The gene expression and secretion profile of several inflammatory markers were evaluated. Nitric oxide secretion induced by LPS, CM, and CC was reduced by the presence of maqui (-12.2%, -45.6%, and -14.7%, respectively) and calafate (-27.6%, -43.9%, and -11.8%, respectively) extracts. Gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and TNF-α was inhibited and of IL-10 was induced by maqui and calafate extract incubation. In conclusion, the extracts of these fruits present important inhibitory-like features over the inflammatory response of the interaction between adipocytes and macrophages, comprising a potential therapeutic tool against comorbidities associated with obesity development.

Extracts of Chilean native fruits inhibit oxidative stress, inflammation and insulin-resistance linked to the pathogenic interaction between adipocytes and macrophages

“…The anthocyanin content of both extracts were previously characterized by our group (Reyes-Farias et al, 2015), with delphinidins as the main family compounds present in the MA extract, and delphinidins and cyanidins in the CA extract. In previous reports, it has been described that anthocyanins presented beneficial effects over obesity-related diseases.…”

“…It has been described that the Chilean native fruits, maqui (MA, Aristotelia chilensis) and calafate (CA, Berberis microphylla) contain high amounts of anthocyanins. Previously, we reported anti-inflammatory features (mRNA expression and secretion of key molecules) of extracts of these fruits in vitro in mouse macrophages, induced adipocytes, and in a coculture involving both types of cells (Reyes-Farias et al, 2015). In order to study the benefits of these fruits in an in vitro scenario, the present study evaluated the effects of MA and CA extract treatment on ECM remodeling, oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and insulin-induced glucose uptake, specifically in adipocytes that were treated with conditioned media from activated macrophages.…”

“…Fruit extracts were prepared and characterized (in terms of anthocyanin content) as previously described by Reyes-Farias et al (2015). Briefly, polyphenolic content was determined by the FolinCiocalteu method (Singleton & Rossi, 1965).…”

“…Extracts were analyzed using LC-MS for anthocyanin relative concentration, as described in a previously published work (Reyes-Farias et al, 2015). Supplemental Fig.…”

Phytochemicals and Traditional Use of Two Southernmost Chilean Berry Fruits: Murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) and Calafate (Berberis buxifolia Lam.)

“…The anti-inflammatory potential of calafate fruit has been studied by Reyes-Farias et al [83] where aqueous extracts were able to modulate the proinflammatory state generated by the interaction between adipocytes and macrophages in vitro.…”