Jaboticaba berry peel intake prevents insulin-resistance-induced tau phosphorylation in mice

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) extract reverts glycaemic imbalance and cognitive impairment in an animal model of obesity

The rates of overweight and obesity around the world have increased in past years. The body's adipose tissue stimulates the antioxidant and oxidation imbalance capacity at the cellular level. This scenario favors an inflammatory low-grade systemic condition starting with insulin resistance, which in turn may involve diabetes mellitus type 2 and cognitive decline afterward. Neurological diseases have been correlated to senile age diseases over time. This scenario calls for a change in the incidence of obesity in the younger generation. An unhealthy dietary consumption together with sedentary habits might lead to poor gut absorption of nutrients. Several plants and foods have bioactive compounds that can reduce or inhibit radical scavengers, reactive oxygen species, and metal ion complexes that threaten the cerebral defense system. The bitter acids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) have been demonstrated to have promising effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism improvement, reducing inflammatory responses through alpha acids, beta acids, and analogs action. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the bioactivity of hop bitter acids in obese and lean mice. For that, a dry hop extract (DHE) was obtained by applying carbon dioxide as the fluid of supercritical extraction. Afterward, seventy-eight male mice of the C57BL/6J strain were weighed and randomly distributed into six groups of 13 animals each according to the diet offered: (NO) normolipidic diet, (NO1) normolipidic diet containing 0.35% alpha acids, (NO2) normolipidic diet containing 3.5% alpha acids, (HP) hyperlipidic diet, (HP1) hyperlipidic diet containing 0.35% alpha acids, and (HP2) hyperlipidic diet containing 3.5% alpha acids. After applying the glycemic tolerance and insulin tolerance tests, a better stabilization of glycemia levels and weight gain among those animals fed with DHE (NO2 and HP2) were observed in comparison to the obese control group (HP) (p < 0.05). There was also an amelioration of antioxidant capacity observed by checking the enzymatic profile by SOD and an apparent mitigation of brain degeneration by checking GSK3β and p-IRS1 proteins expression (p < 0.05). The y-maze cognitive test applied to highlight possible obesity-harmful animal brains did not indicate a statistical difference between the groups. Although the weekly dietary intake between the obese HP2 group (33.32 ± 4.11, p < 0.05) and control HP (42.3 ± 5.88, p < 0.05) was different. The bioactive compounds present in DHE have demonstrated relevant effects on glycemic control, insulin signaling, and the consequent modulatory action of the obesity-related markers with the brain's inflammatory progression.

Açai pulp improves cognition and insulin sensitivity in obese mice

SCOPE

Obesity and insulin resistance constitute risk factors for the development of tauopathies and other neurodegenerative diseases. (Poly)phenol compounds are under study for its role in protecting effects against neural injuries and degeneration. Here, we investigated the effect of Amazonian açai pulp (AP) intake in the prevention of memory and cognitive impairment resulting from a high-fat diet intake in mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Obesity and insulin resistance was induced with a high-fat diet and supplemented with 2% AP to investigate peripheral insulin resistance, recognition memory and tau protein stability via AKT/GSK3-β signaling pathway. The consumption of AP for 70 days improved peripheral insulin sensitivity and phosphorylation of AKT/GSK3-β in mice hippocampi. The animals fed high-fat diets supplemented with AP showed better performance in the novel object recognition test (NOR) in comparison to the H group. Catalase activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) values were improved in the treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the supplementation of AP can attenuate the effects of high-fat diet consumption in peripheral insulin resistance and improve cognitive behavior.

Comprehensive Extraction and Chemical Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Tepals of Crocus sativus L

Crocus sativus L. is largely cultivated because it is the source of saffron, a well-appreciated and valued spice, not only for its culinary use but also because of its significant biological activities. Stigmas are the main product obtained from flowers, but in addition, tepals, largely considered a waste product, represent a big source of flavonoids and anthocyanins. This study aimed to delve into the phytochemical composition of saffron tepals and investigate whether the composition was influenced by the extraction technique while investigating the main analytical techniques most suitable for the characterization of tepal extracts. The research focuses on flavonoids, a class of secondary metabolites, and their health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Flavonoids occur as aglycones and glycosides and are classified into various classes, such as flavones, flavonols, and flavanones. The most abundant flavonoids in tepals are kaempferol glycosides, followed by quercetin and isorhamnetin glycosides. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the potential uses of tepals as a source of bioactive compounds and their applications in various fields, promoting a circular and sustainable economy in saffron cultivation and processing.

The pivotal role of JAK/STAT and IRS/PI3K signaling pathways in neurodegenerative diseases: Mechanistic approaches to polyphenols and alkaloids

BACKGROUND

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are characterized by progressive neuronal dysfunctionality which results in disability and human life-threatening events. In recent decades, NDDs are on the rise. Besides, conventional drugs have not shown potential effectiveness to attenuate the complications of NDDs. So, exploring novel therapeutic agents is an urgent need to combat such disorders. Accordingly, growing evidence indicates that polyphenols and alkaloids are promising natural candidates, possessing several beneficial pharmacological effects against diseases. Considering the complex pathophysiological mechanisms behind NDDs, Janus kinase (JAK), insulin receptor substrate (IRS), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) seem to play critical roles during neurodegeneration/neuroregeneration. In this line, modulation of the JAK/STAT and IRS/PI3K signaling pathways and their interconnected mediators by polyphenols/alkaloids could play pivotal roles in combating NDDs, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), stroke, aging, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), depression and other neurological disorders.

PURPOSE

Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective roles of polyphenols/alkaloids as multi-target natural products against NDDs which are critically passing through the modulation of the JAK/STAT and IRS/PI3K signaling pathways.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A systematic and comprehensive review was performed to highlight the modulatory roles of polyphenols and alkaloids on the JAK/STAT and IRS/PI3K signaling pathways in NDDs, according to the PRISMA guideline, using scholarly electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and associated reference lists.

RESULTS

In the present study 141 articles were included from a total of 1267 results. The results showed that phenolic compounds such as curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and quercetin, and alkaloids such as berberine could be introduced as new strategies in combating NDDs through JAK/STAT and IRS/PI3K signaling pathways. This is the first systematic review that reveals the correlation between the JAK/STAT and IRS/PI3K axis which is targeted by phytochemicals in NDDs. Hence, this review highlighted promising insights into the neuroprotective potential of polyphenols and alkaloids through the JAK/STAT and IRS/PI3K signaling pathway and interconnected mediators toward neuroprotection.

CONCLUSION

Amongst natural products, phenolic compounds and alkaloids are multi-targeting agents with the most antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects possessing the potential of combating NDDs with high efficacy and lower toxicity. However, additional reports are needed to prove the efficacy and possible side effects of natural products.

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) Attenuates Ventricular Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction in Rats

The cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction is characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress. Thus, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that jaboticaba, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties, attenuates cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction. Wistar rats were submitted to myocardial infarction due to coronary artery occlusion, and divided into four experimental groups: C, sham control animals; I, animals submitted to myocardial infarction, received a standard diet; IJ2, animals submitted to myocardial infarction, received a standard diet plus 2% jaboticaba; and IJ4, animals submitted to myocardial infarction, received a standard diet plus 4% jaboticaba. After a three-month follow-up, echocardiography, histology, oxidative stress, and cardiac energy metabolism were analyzed. There was no difference in infarct size or mortality among the infarcted groups. The IJ4 group displayed improved diastolic function, as assessed by isovolumetric relaxation time normalized to the heart rate. As expected, the percentage of collagen was higher in all infarcted groups than in the C group. However, the IJ2 group had less collagen than groups I and IJ4. The IJ4 group presented lower PFK activity than I and IJ2, and lower pyruvate dehydrogenase activity than controls, whereas the IJ2 group showed no differences compared to the control group in both LDH and ATP synthase activity. The 2% and 4% doses attenuated lipid peroxidation and increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase compared with the I group. In conclusion, jaboticaba attenuated the remodeling process after myocardial infarction, which was associated with decreased oxidative stress and improved energy metabolism.

Gut microbiota modulation by jabuticaba peel and its effect on glucose metabolism via inflammatory signaling

Jabuticaba is a Brazilian berry known for its therapeutic potential against cancer, obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and others. It is a natural source of bioactive compounds, leading to better glucose metabolism, and attenuating obesity and IR through the reduction of pro-inflammatory status. The present study aimed to observe the prebiotic effect of freeze-dried jabuticaba peel (J) consumption on gut bacteria profile and describe its effects on IR derived from the lipopolysaccharides/Toll-like receptor-4 inflammatory pathway. Jabuticaba peel was chemically characterized, and its bioactive compounds were quantified. Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were feed with a control diet (n = 6), control diet + J (n = 6), high-fat diet (HF) (n = 6), and HF + J (n = 6) for thirteen weeks. Gut bacteriota (16s RNA sequencing), glucose metabolism (fasting glucose and insulin, OGTT, ITT, HOMA-IR, and β, QUICKI), and inflammatory status (serum lipopolysaccharide, and protein expression) were assessed. The main bioactive compounds found in J were dietary fiber, and anthocyanins, and its consumption along with a healthy diet reduced the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota phyla (p < 0.01), increased the Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae families, and Faecalicatena genus (p < 0.05). The correlation test indicates a negative correlation between the Muribaculaceae and glucose metabolism. Jabuticaba peel is a nutritive source of bioactive compounds with prebiotic effects.

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Jabuticaba peel is a natural source of bioactive compounds with high anti-oxidant power.

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Jabuticaba peel in a healthy diet intake can modulate the gut bacteriota and increase short-chain fatty acids production.

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The consumption of freeze-dried jabuticaba peel does not alter the glucose metabolism via LPS-TLR4 pathway.

Jaboticaba berry: A comprehensive review on its polyphenol composition, health effects, metabolism, and the development of food products

Jaboticaba, a popular Brazilian berry, has been studied due to its relevant polyphenol composition, health benefits and potential use for the development of derived food products. Considering that around 200 articles have been published in recent years, this review aims to provide comprehensive and updated information, as well as a critical discussion on: (i) jaboticaba polyphenolic composition and extraction methods for their accurate determination; (ii) jaboticaba polyphenol's metabolism; (iii) biological effects of the fruit and the relationship with its polyphenols and their metabolites; (iv) challenges in the development of jaboticaba derived products. The determination of jaboticaba polyphenols should employ hydrolysis procedures during extraction, followed by liquid chromatographic analysis. Jaboticaba polyphenols, mainly anthocyanins and ellagitannins, are extensively metabolized, and their metabolites are probably the most important contributors to the relevant health effects associated with the fruit, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic. Most of the technological processing of jaboticaba fruit and its residues is related to their application as a colorant, antioxidant, antimicrobial and source of polyphenols. The scientific literature still lacks studies on the metabolism and bioactivity of polyphenols from jaboticaba in humans, as well as the effect of technological processes on these issues.

Red raspberry (Rubus ideaus) supplementation mitigates the effects of a high-fat diet on brain and behavior in mice

OBJECTIVES

Research has shown that berries may have the ability to reverse, reduce, or slow the progression of behavioral dysfunction associated with aging and neurodegenerative disease. In contrast, high-energy and high-fat diets (HFD) may result in behavioral deficits like those seen in aging animals. This research examined whether red raspberry (Rubus ideaus) mitigates the effects of HFD on mouse brain and behavior.

METHODS

Eight-week-old mice consumed a HFD (60% calories from fat) or a control diet (CD) with and without 4% freeze-dried red raspberry (RB). Behavioral tests and biochemical assays of brain tissue and serum were conducted.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks on the diets, mice fed CD and HFD had impaired novel object recognition, but mice on the RB-supplemented diets did not. After approximately 20 weeks on the diets, mice fed HFD + RB had shorter latencies to find the escape hole in the Barnes maze than the HFD-fed mice. Interleukin (IL)-6 was significantly elevated in the cortex of mice fed HFD; while mice fed the CD, CD + RB, and HFD + RB did not show a similar elevation. There was also evidence of increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brains of mice fed RB diets. This reduction in IL-6 and increase in BDNF may contribute to the preservation of learning and memory in HFD + RB mice.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that RB may protect against the effects HFD has on brain and behavior; however, further research with human subjects is needed to confirm these benefits.

Consumption of phenolic-rich jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) powder ameliorates obesity-related disorders in mice

Accumulating evidence indicates that dietary phenolic compounds can prevent obesity-related disorders. We investigated whether the consumption of polyphenol-rich jabuticaba peel and seed powder (JPSP) could ameliorate the progression of diet-induced obesity in mice. Male mice were fed a control diet or a high-fat (HF) diet for 9 weeks. After this period, mice were fed control, HF or HF diets supplemented with 5 % (HF-J5), 10 % (HF-J10) or 15 % (HF-J15) of JPSP, for 4 additional weeks. Supplementation with JPSP not only attenuated HF-induced weight gain and fat accumulation but also ameliorated the pro-inflammatory response associated with obesity, as evidenced by the absence of mast cells in the visceral depot accompanied by lower IL-6 and TNF-α at the tissue and circulating levels. JPSP-supplemented mice also exhibited smaller-sized adipocytes, reduced levels of leptin and higher levels of adiponectin, concomitant with improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The magnitude of the observed effects was dependent on JPSP concentration with HF-J10- and HF-J15-fed mice showing metabolic profiles similar to control. This study reveals that the consumption of JPSP protects against the dysfunction of the adipose tissue and metabolic disturbances in obese mice. Thus, these findings indicate the therapeutic potential of the phenolic-rich JPSP in preventing obesity-related disorders.

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) Peel Supplementation Prevents Hepatic Steatosis Through Hypolipidemic Effects and Cholesterol Metabolism Modulation in Diet-Induced NAFLD Rat Model

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora), a Brazilian fruit, is a good source of dietary fiber and phenolic compounds, which are concentrated mainly in the peel. These compounds have been considered promising in prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hepatic steatosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of 4% jaboticaba peel powder (JPP) supplementation on cholesterol metabolism and hepatic steatosis in livers of rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. The rats were fed a standard AIN-93M (control) diet or an HF diet containing 32% lard and 1% cholesterol, both with and without 4% JPP. The M. cauliflora peel composition revealed a low-lipid high-fiber content and phenolic compounds. The phenolic compounds in JPP, tentatively identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis, were confirmed to contain phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Moreover, JPP presented significant antioxidant activity in vitro and was not cytotoxic to HepG2 cells, as determined by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. After 6 weeks of treatment, our results showed that JPP supplementation increased lipid excretion in feces, reduced serum levels of total cholesterol and nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol, decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and attenuated hepatic steatosis severity in rats fed the HF diet. Furthermore, JPP treatment downregulated expression of ACAT-1, LXR-α, CYP7A1, and ABCG5 genes. Therefore, jaboticaba peel may represent a viable dietary strategy to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as the JPP treatment alleviated hepatic steatosis through improvement of serum lipid profiles and modulation of mRNA expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism.

Abelmoschus esculentus subfractions attenuate Aβ and tau by regulating DPP-4 and insulin resistance signals

Background

Insulin resistance could be associated with the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). The neuropathological hallmarks of AD are beta amyloid (Aβ) produced from sequential cleavage initiated by β-secretase and degraded by insulin degradation enzyme (IDE), as well as hyperphosphorylation of tau (p-tau). Insulin action involves the cascades of insulin receptor substrates (IRS) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), while phosphorylation of IRS-1 at ser307 (p-^ser307IRS-1) hinders the response. Our previous report suggested dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is crucial to insulin resistance, and the subfractions of Abelmoschus esculentus (AE), F1 and F2, attenuate the signaling. Here we aim to investigate whether AE works to reduce Aβ generation via regulating DPP4 and insulin resistance.

Methods

The subfractions F1 and F2 were prepared according to a succession of procedures. F1 was composed by quercetin glycosides and triterpene ester, and F2 contained a large amount of polysaccharides. The in vitro insulin resistance model was established by SK-N-MC cell line treated with palmitate. MTT was used to define the dose range, and thereby Western blot, ELISA, and the activity assay were used to detect the putative markers. One-way ANOVA was performed for the statistical analysis.

Results

Treatment of palmitate induced the level of p-^ser307IRS-1. Both F1 and F2 effectively decrease p-^ser307IRS-1, and recover the expression of p-PI3K. However, the expression of total IRS plunged with 25 μg/mL of F1, while descended steadily with 5 μg/mL of F2. As palmitate increased the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42, both AE subfractions were effective to reduce Aβ generation of and β-secretase activity, but IDE was not altered in any treatment conditions. The expression of DPP4 was also accompanied with insulin resistance signals. Inhibition of DPP4 attenuated the activity of β-secretase and production of Aβ. Moreover, the present data revealed that both AE subfractions significantly decrease the level of p-Tau.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we demonstrated that AE would be a potential adjuvant to prevent insulin resistance and the associated pathogenesis of AD, and F2 seems more feasible to be developed.

Anthocyanins: A Comprehensive Review of Their Chemical Properties and Health Effects on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Anthocyanins are a class of water-soluble flavonoids widely present in fruits and vegetables. Dietary sources of anthocyanins include red and purple berries, grapes, apples, plums, cabbage, or foods containing high levels of natural colorants. Cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, peonidin, petunidin, and pelargonidin are the six common anthocyanidins. Following consumption, anthocyanin, absorption occurs along the gastrointestinal tract, the distal lower bowel being the place where most of the absorption and metabolism occurs. In the intestine, anthocyanins first undergo extensive microbial catabolism followed by absorption and human phase II metabolism. This produces hybrid microbial-human metabolites which are absorbed and subsequently increase the bioavailability of anthocyanins. Health benefits of anthocyanins have been widely described, especially in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that health-promoting effects attributed to anthocyanins may also be related to modulation of gut microbiota. In this paper we attempt to provide a comprehensive view of the state-of-the-art literature on anthocyanins, summarizing recent findings on their chemistry, biosynthesis, nutritional value and on their effects on human health.

The effect of α-terpineol enantiomers on biomarkers of rats fed a high-fat diet

Alpha-terpineol is a monoterpenoid found in many essential oils, being widely used in food and household products. In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have already been associated with this alcohol; therefore, this study aimed to check if these properties were also present in vivo, counteracting the oxidant and inflammatory effects of a high-fat diet, as well as if there were differences in the biological activities among the two α-terpineol enantiomers. Thus, this work evaluated the effect of supplementation of α-terpineol enantiomers (at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of diet) on biological parameters of diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats. In general, α-terpineol improved the nutritional parameters of rats fed a high-fat diet. The intake of α-terpineol at concentrations ≥50 mg/kg was able to reestablish the insulin sensibility and reduced (p < 0.05) serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, when compared with the control group. The intake of R-(+)- and (-)-α-terpineol decreased the TNF-α level by approximately 1.5 and 3.4 times, respectively, when compared with the high-fat group, regardless of the concentration. Moreover, both enantiomers at 50 mg/kg decreased the levels of serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by 2.6-4.2 times, while hepatic TBARS were reduced in approximately 1.6 times, regardless of the compound and concentration tested. Further experiments are suggested to confirm the mechanisms and the security of α-terpineol in different experimental models and more extended exposure experiments.

Anthocyanin-rich extract of jabuticaba epicarp as a natural colorant: Optimization of heat- and ultrasound-assisted extractions and application in a bakery product

Heat- and ultrasound-assisted extractions of anthocyanins from jabuticaba epicarp were optimized and the colouring potential of the developed extract was tested on macarons. The independent variables time (t), solvent concentration (S), and temperature (T) or power (P) were combined in a five-level central composite design coupled with response surface methodology. The delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside levels monitored by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS were used as response criteria. The developed models were successfully fitted to the experimental data and used to determine optimal extraction conditions. HAE was the most efficient method yielding 81 ± 2 mg/g extract under optimal conditions (t = 21.8 min, T = 47.1 °C and S = 9.1% ethanol, v/v). Macarons were then produced using the optimized anthocyanin-rich colouring extract and their colour parameters and nutritional profile were monitored during shelf-life. The obtained results provided useful information for the development of anthocyanin-rich extracts from a bio-waste with potential use as natural food colorants.

A jaboticaba extract prevents prostatic damage associated with aging and high-fat diet intake

Jaboticaba extract prevented the prostatic lesion development in aging and/or overweight mice, mainly interfering in cell proliferation, hormonal and angiogenesis pathways.

Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds: A Review of Its Possible Role on Weight Management and Obesity's Metabolic Consequences

Background: Weight management and obesity prevention is a basic aim of health organizations in order to decrease the prevalence of various metabolic disorders. The aim of the present review article was the evaluation of the possible role of functional foods and their bioactive compounds as alternative way to promote weight management and prevent obesity and its metabolic consequences. Methods: Approximately 100 articles were selected from Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, by using relative key words, and based mainly on recent animal, clinical or epidemiological studies. Results: The literature review highlighted the possible effect of specific functional foods such as coffee, green tea, berries, nuts, olive oil, pomegranate, avocado, and ginger. Specific bioactive compounds of those foods—such as caffeine, catechins, gallic acid, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, polyphenols, oleuropein, capsaicin, and quercetin—may contribute to weight management, obesity prevention, and obesity’s metabolic consequences. The possible mechanisms include effect on satiety, lipid absorption, fatty acids beta oxidation, stimulation of thermogenesis, etc. Conclusions: Functional foods, as part of a balanced diet, could be useful in the direction of weight management and decrease of obesity’s’ metabolic consequences. However, the scientific evidence is unclear and in most cases controversial and more clinical and epidemiological studies are needed in order to further investigate the mechanisms of their possible effect.

Preliminary phytochemical analysis and evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of Plinia peruviana leaves: an in vitro approach

Plinia peruviana (Poir.) Govaerts (Myrtaceae) occurs from Pará to Rio Grande do Sul states, Brazil. The leaf extract of this species was investigated. The total of polyphenols and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric techniques. Antioxidant activity by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and anti-proliferative activity was tested against the MCF-7 and HeLa lines. The amount of polyphenols from the lyophilized extract was 944 ± 0.0856 mg GAE/g, moreover, total flavonoid content of the extract of 531.8 ± 0.0040 mg RE/g extract. This study performed the first pharmacological exploration of the leaves of P. peruviana. Our results demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of this specie on MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines. This makes this specie an interesting medicinal plant for human epithelial cervical cancer and human breast cancer anti-proliferative approach.

Aqueous extract of berry (Plinia jaboticaba) byproduct modulates gut microbiota and maintains the balance on antioxidant defense system in rats

Previous studies have assessed the properties of aqueous extracts, using byproducts such as jaboticaba peel. We have assessed potential antioxidant effects of jaboticaba extract (Plinia jaboticaba) (JAE = 50 g/L) in vitro and in vivo. Healthy Wistar rats received ad libitum JAE for either 15 or 49 days in vivo. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, gallic acid, rutin, myricetin, and quercetin were identified as the main polyphenols in JAE. Lipid peroxidation values in the serum and colon were similar throughout the groups. In addition, JAE did not disturb the antioxidant systems. JAE also altered gut microbiota, increasing since Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Enterobacteriaceae counts. Bacterial metabolites were higher in the colon content of rats fed with JAE than in the control group. Given these results, under healthy conditions, JAE dietary supplementation could perform in vivo modulation of gut microbiota, without disturbing the antioxidant system. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba) peel is a rich and often-wasted source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols. Previous studies have shown that physiological benefits of this berry. The jaboticaba peel could contribute to antioxidant defense systems; it may also have an effect over gut microbiota related to polyphenols contents. Aqueous extraction may be a practical way of employing the bioactive compounds of jaboticaba peel; these compounds can be consumed daily and safely, and thus have attracted particular attention. This work showed positive impacts of jaboticaba peel treatments on microbiota and antioxidant defense systems, and could guide future clinical studies.

Opinion on the Hurdles and Potential Health Benefits in Value-Added Use of Plant Food Processing By-Products as Sources of Phenolic Compounds

Plant foods, their products and processing by-products are well recognized as important sources of phenolic compounds. Recent studies in this field have demonstrated that food processing by-products are often richer sources of bioactive compounds as compared with their original feedstock. However, their final application as a source of nutraceuticals and bioactives requires addressing certain hurdles and challenges. This review discusses recent knowledge advances in the use of plant food processing by-products as sources of phenolic compounds with special attention to the role of genetics on the distribution and biosynthesis of plant phenolics, as well as their profiling and screening, potential health benefits, and safety issues. The potentialities in health improvement from food phenolics in animal models and in humans is well substantiated, however, considering the emerging market of plant food by-products as potential sources of phenolic bioactives, more research in humans is deemed necessary.

Preventive mechanism of bioactive dietary foods on obesity-related inflammation and diseases

This review focuses on the molecular biological mechanism of obesity-induced inflammation and the reciprocal interactions between the major molecular mechanisms and a range of dietary bioactive compounds.

Mitigating the effects of high fat diet on the brain and behavior with berry supplementation

Berries are rich in bioactive compounds like anthocyanins and show promise for mitigating the effects of high fat diet on the brain and behavior.