Immunomodulatory Effects of <i>Cucurbita pepo</i> L. Extract in Chronic Stress-Induced Dysregulation of Lymphoid Organs in Rats
<b>Objectives</b>: Recently, increased attention has been given to pumpkin due to its proved nutritional components, which include antioxidant, antifatigue, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the present work was to assess the impact of <i>Cucurbita pepo</i> L. (<i&...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceuticals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1046 |
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| Summary: | <b>Objectives</b>: Recently, increased attention has been given to pumpkin due to its proved nutritional components, which include antioxidant, antifatigue, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the present work was to assess the impact of <i>Cucurbita pepo</i> L. (<i>CP</i>) on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced changes in lymphoid organs through evaluating its effect on the histological structure of spleen, thymus gland, and lymph nodes compared to the antidepressant fluoxetine (FLU). <b>Materials and Methods</b>: Fifty male albino rats equally distributed into five groups that included control, control + <i>CP</i>, CUMS-exposed, FLU-treated, and <i>CP</i>-treated groups were used in this study. Rats were exposed to CUMS for 4 weeks, and treatment (either with FLU or <i>CP</i>) was started after 14 days of exposure. Behavior of the rats, serum corticosterone, oxidants/antioxidants profile, proinflammatory cytokines, and gene expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and β-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) were assessed after 28 days. Spleen, thymus gland, and lymph nodes were histopathologically assessed. <b>Results</b>: <i>CP</i> administration significantly reduced the CUMS-induced behavioural changes evident by the significant reduction in immobility time (<i>p</i> = 0.02) and corticosterone level (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Biochemically, <i>CP</i> reduced TNF-α and IL-6 (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and markedly alleviated the changes in oxidants/antioxidants in the serum and lymphoid organs compared to fluoxetine. <i>CP</i> significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.001) reduced CUMS-induced changes in GR and (β2-AR). Histopathologically, <i>CP</i> alleviated changes observed in the spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus gland. It significantly reduced the number of CD4, CD8, CD68, CD20, and caspase-3 immunopositive cells in the studied organs. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study proved the potential efficacy of <i>CP</i> in alleviating depression-associated immunodysregulation either alone or in combination with antidepressant therapy. |
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| ISSN: | 1424-8247 |