Corrigendum to "Metabolic dysfunctions promoted by AIN-93G standard diet compared with three obesity-inducing diets in C57BL/6J mice" [Curr. Res. Physiol. (2022) 436-444]

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2022.11.001.].

The collagen market and knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Brazilian consumers regarding collagen ingestion

Collagen is considered a nutraceutical, and its consumption has been expanding due to the increased life expectancy, rising per capita income, and increased consumer awareness of health care. This study aimed to evaluate consumers' perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the consumption of collagen-based products by using an online questionnaire and to correlate them with socio-economic data. A market survey (pharmacy stores and online) was also conducted to evaluate the available products. In total, 275 participants answered the survey, 73.3% from the Southeast region, mostly female (84.0%). Most participants reported three months as the period of collagen intake (31.6%), and the consumption period was associated with the perception of the health benefits (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the participants' knowledge and perceptions regarding collagen intake are frequently associated with dermatological and orthopedic changes. Collagen-based products supplementation is a growing market with a broad target audience (genders, age groups, and socio-economic levels). The commercial presentation of collagen has been diversified over the years, and powder collagen is the most consumed (52.7%) and cheapest compared with capsules, pills, or gummies. The results of the present study demonstrate that most consumers of this type of supplement associate its benefits with aesthetic care such as skin, hair, and nails, although the scientific literature has shown its effects in treating osteoarticular diseases, for example. Undoubtedly, the correct dose prescription, treatment time, and choice of product presentation must be analyzed carefully, as they significantly impact treatment results.

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) peel extracts induce reticulum stress and apoptosis in breast cancer cells

Jaboticaba peel (Myrciaria jaboticaba) is a source of bioactive compounds. We investigated the anticancer activity of ethyl acetate extract (JE1) and hydroethanolic extract (JE2) of Jaboticaba peel against breast cancer. Both JE1 and JE2 inhibited clonogenic potential of MDA-MB-231 cells while JE1 was particularly effective in MCF7 cells. Anchorage-independent growth and cell viability was also inhibited by JE1 and JE2. In addition to growth inhibition, JE1 and JE2 could also inhibit migration and invasion of cells. Interestingly, JE1 and JE2 show selective inhibition towards certain breast cancer cells and biological processes. Mechanistic evaluations showed that JE1 induced PARP cleavage, BAX and BIP indicating apoptotic induction. An elevation of phosphorylated ERK was observed in MCF7 cells in response to JE1 and JE2 along with increased IRE-α and CHOP expression indicating increased endoplasmic stress. Therefore, Jaboticaba peel extracts could be potentially considered for further development for breast cancer inhibition.

Collagen supplementation in skin and orthopedic diseases: A review of the literature

Collagen is one of the main components of the extracellular matrix of the dermis and articular cartilage and influences the body's mechanical, organizational, and tissue formation properties. Produced from food industry by-products, it is considered a nutraceutical product widely used as an ingredient or supplement in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study aimed to conduct a literature review on the scientific evidence regarding the beneficial effects of collagen consumption in the treatment of skin and orthopedic diseases. Literature data have shown that hydrolyzed collagen supplementation promotes skin changes, such as decreased wrinkle formation; increased skin elasticity; increased hydration; increased collagen content, density, and synthesis, which are factors closely associated with aging-related skin damage. Regarding orthopedic changes, collagen supplementation increases bone strength, density, and mass; improves joint stiffness/mobility, and functionality; and reduces pain. These aspects are associated with bone loss due to aging and damage caused by strenuous physical activity. Thus, this review addresses the economic and health potential of this source of amino acids and bioactive peptides extracted from food industry by-products.

Metabolic dysfunctions promoted by AIN-93G standard diet compared with three obesity-inducing diets in C57BL/6J mice

Researchers from different fields have studied the causes of obesity and associated comorbidities, proposing ways to prevent and treat this condition by using a common animal model of obesity to create a profound energy imbalance in young adult rodents. However, to confirm the harmful effects of consuming a high-fat and hypercaloric diet, it is common to include normolipidic and normocaloric control groups in the experimental protocols. This study compared the effect of three experimental diets described in the literature - namely, a high-fat diet, a high-fat and high-sucrose diet, and a high-fat and high-fructose diet - to induce obesity in C57BL/6 J mice with the standard AIN-93G diet as a control. We hypothesize that the AIN diet formulation is not a good control in this type of experiment because this diet promotes weight gain and metabolic dysfunctions similar to the hypercaloric diet. The metabolic data of animals fed the AIN-93G diet were similar to those of the high-calorie groups (development of steatosis and hyperlipidemia). However, it is important to emphasize that the group fed a high-fat diet had a higher percentage of total fat (p = 0.0002) and abdominal fat (p = 0.013) compared to the other groups. Also, the high-fat group responded poorly to glucose and insulin tolerance tests, showing a picture of insulin resistance. As expected, the intake of the AIN-93G diet promotes metabolic alterations in the animals like the high-fat formulations. Therefore, although this diet continues to be used as the gold standard for growth and maintenance, it warrants a reassessment of its composition to minimize the metabolic changes observed in this study, thus updating its fitness as a normocaloric model of a standard rodent diet.

Biotechnological potential of Hancornia speciosa whole tree: A narrative review from composition to health applicability

Mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa) is a Brazilian tree and a socioeconomic key due to the commercialization of its food products and tree parts to treat health conditions empirically. This review gathers the main chemical, and microbiological characteristics of the mangabeira tree parts (leaves, fruits, tree bark, latex, and seeds), emphasizing its applicability in food science and focusing on its bioapplicability in health conditions. Leaves, fruits, and tree bark can be used to develop functional foods, and phytochemical products; the tree latex have great potential in the bioengineering material field; and the seeds in sustainable energy production. Leaves and fruits were the main samples bioapplied in health conditions in vitro (oxidative stress and chemopreventive effect) and in vivo (gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effect), whereas tree bark and latex also exhibited health effects and seeds showed low cytotoxicity. All parts of the mangabeira tree can be explored by extractivist families and industries from a sustainable point of view.

Pot-pollen supplementation reduces fasting glucose and modulates the gut microbiota in high-fat/high-sucrose fed C57BL/6 mice

Pot-pollen is a mixture of pollen and nectar from flowers combined with salivary substances of stingless bees, which together are fermented inside cerumen pots. As pot-pollen is rich in polyphenols, we hypothesized that dietary ingestion could modulate obesity, glucose metabolism, and the gut microbiota in an animal model of diet-induced obesity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low-fat/low-sucrose diet (LF/LS), a HF/HS diet or a HF/HS diet containing 0.1% pot-pollen (HF/HS-PP) for 12 weeks. In HF/HS-fed mice, pot-pollen supplementation decreased fasting blood glucose and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion without modifying weight gain, body composition, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity. Intake of pot-pollen resulted in changes of the gut microbiota, including a decrease in the abundance of the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group and Lactobacillus, and an increase in the abundance of Romboutsia. Correlations between genus abundances and metabolic changes in response to supplementation indicated that the gut microbiota contributed to the positive effects of pot-pollen ingestion on fasting glucose. Pot-pollen supplementation-associated changes in the gut microbiota composition correlated with the lowering of fasting glucose levels without modulating weight gain.

Characterization of Capsicum oleoresin microparticles and in vivo evaluation of short-term capsaicin intake

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Modified malt was successfully used in Capsicum oleoresin microencapsulation.

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High antioxidant activities by ORAC and FRAP were observed for all microparticles.

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Diet containing Capsicum oleoresin microparticles can promote weight gain control.

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Liver damage caused by obesity was prevented by high doses of Capsicum's oleoresin.

Gum arabic, modified corn starch (EMCAP), modified malt (MALT), either blended or isolated, were assessed as encapsulating agents for Capsicum oleoresin. Capsicum oleoresin microparticles were obtained by spray drying and analysed for physicochemical properties and in vivo. Obtained powders were adequate for storage, given their low water activity (<0.150), hygroscopicity (<11.43 g/100 g), moisture (<4.76%) and high glass transition temperature (<98.3 °C). FT-IR analysis concluded that carbohydrates matrices were loaded after spray drying, with peaks around 2850 cm ^–1 for aromatic compounds, and bands around 1760 cm⁻¹, pointing to the presence of capsaicin inside the microparticles. All formulations exhibited high antioxidant activity, low contact angles and great solubility in water. Any adverse effect was observed in the experimental assay, neither change on the level of hepatic aminotransferases. The intake of a High-Fat Diet (HFD) supplemented with Capsicum oleoresin microparticles decreased weight gain when compared to the HFD control.

The use of alternative food sources to improve health and guarantee access and food intake

To feed and provide Food Security to all people in the world is a big challenge to be achieved with the 2030 Agenda. Undernutrition and obesity are to the opposite of a healthy nutritional status. Both conditions are associated with unbalanced nutrition, absence of food or excess of non-nutritive foods intake. These two nutritional conditions associated with food production are closely related to some goals highlighted by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda to achieve sustainable world development. In this context, the search for alternative foods whose sustainable production and high nutritional quality guarantee regular access to food for the population must be encouraged. Alternative foods can contribute to Food Security in many ways as they contribute to the local economy and income generation. Popularizing and demystifying the uses of unconventional food plants, ancestral grains, flowers, meliponiculture products, and edible insects as sources of nutrients and non-nutrients is another challenge. Herein, we present an overview of alternative foods - some of them cultivated mostly in Brazil - that can be explored as sources of nutrients to fight hunger and malnutrition, improve food production and the economic growth of nations.

Effects of supplementation with kombucha and green banana flour on Wistar rats fed with a cafeteria diet

Introduction

With the increase of chronic diseases as a consequence of the population's eating habits, there is also a growing interest in foods rich in bioactive compounds capable of mitigating these diseases. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with kombucha and green banana flour (GBF) on Wistar rats fed with cafeteria diet (CAF).

Methods

The animals were randomized into five groups of seven animals each, which were fed with the following diets: Treatment 1 (T1): Control treatment/commercial feed; Treatment 2 (T2): cafeteria diet (CAF); Treatment 3 (T3): CAF + kombucha; Treatment 4 (T4): CAF + green banana flour (GBF); Treatment 5 (T5): CAF + GBF + kombucha. Daily weight gain, daily food consumption, feed conversion, blood glucose, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, liver enzymes, antioxidant activity, and body composition were evaluated.

Results

T5 presented lower feed intake and less weight gain. Liver histology revealed vacuolization in all treatments except T1, which was confirmed by the results of liver enzymes. There was no increase in blood glucose, and changes were observed in the lipid profile of the animals. T1 had the lowest body fat and the highest protein levels. Differences were observed for the antioxidant capacity in the liver of animals among treatments.

Conclusion

The intake of cafeteria diet altered the lipid and liver profile of the animals and the consumption of kombucha and GBF did not prevent these changes. The high polyphenols level of kombucha did not exert a hepatoprotective effect as an antioxidant. However, this supplementation generated greater satiety in the animals, leading to less weight gain until the end of the experiment.

High-intensity ultrasound-assisted recovery of anthocyanins from jabuticaba by-products using green solvents: Effects of ultrasound intensity and solvent composition on the extraction of phenolic compounds

This study proposes an update for the jabuticaba processing chain to obtain valuable coproducts from jabuticaba peels. High-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) technology was evaluated as a more efficient extraction process to obtain two high added-value coproducts: pectin and an anthocyanins-rich extract. The HIUS-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds like anthocyanins from the jabuticaba peels was evaluated. The effects of ultrasound intensity (1.1, 3.7, 7.3, and 13.0 W/cm²) and solvent composition concerning water/ethanol ratio (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 g water/100 g) were examined. One-step HIUS processing promoted the best recovery of bioactive compounds at an ultrasound intensity of 3.7 W/cm² and 50 g water/100 g, thus proofing the interaction between ultrasound intensity and the solvent composition has a strong influence on the extraction efficiency of the groups of compounds studied and in the jabuticaba peel antioxidant potential. The confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed bioactive compounds' exhaustion in the dried jabuticaba peel after the HIUS processing, proving its best recovery. The jabuticaba peel extract exhibited an intense reddish color typical of anthocyanin-rich products at acid pH (4.5). The HIUS technology turned out a promising way to recover these valuable phenolic compounds as a quick, relatively inexpensive, and simple technology that improves the yields and decreases the costs and environmental impacts compared to conventional extraction processes.

Non-nutrients and nutrients from Latin American fruits for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been rapidly increasing; among them, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for around 1/3 of deaths in the world. Environmental factors play a central role in their development. Diet is a very important factor in this scenario, and the intake of fruits and vegetables has been considered as one of the critical strategies for reducing the risk of CVDs. Fruits are a source of micronutrients and bioactive compounds that could have cardioprotective effects through several distinct mechanisms, such as antioxidant, antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities, vasodilatation, improvement of plasma lipid profiles, and modulation of inflammatory signaling. Brazil has a very rich and unexplored biodiversity in its different biomes, with several types of fruit, which are a source of bioactive compounds and micronutrients with therapeutic properties. In this sense, this review shows the current knowledge regarding the cardioprotective properties of selected Latin American and Brazilian fruits, including their effects on the activation of platelets and on the inflammation processes involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Two polyphenol-rich Brazilian fruit extracts protect from diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis in mice

Consumption of polyphenol-rich food is associated with better metabolic health. Tucum-do-Pantanal (Bactris setosa Mart) and taruma-do-cerrado (Vitex cymosa Bertero ex Spreng) are underexploited native Brazilian fruits with an important source of phytochemicals. In this study, we assessed the effects of 100 mg kg-1 tucum (TPE) and taruma (TCE) extracts on diet-induced obesity (DIO) C57BL/6J mice. After 8 weeks of daily treatment, TPE and TCE were found to significantly prevented the diet-induced body weight gain and fully protected against hepatic steatosis associated with a tendency to stimulate hepatic AMPK phosphorylation. TPE reduced visceral obesity and improved glucose metabolism as revealed by an improvement of the insulin tolerance test, a reduction in the insulin fasting level, and a decreased glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia during an oral glucose tolerance test. TPE and TCE showed promising effects on the treatment of obesity and NAFLD, furthermore, TPE on insulin resistance.

Ulcerative colitis: Gut microbiota, immunopathogenesis and application of natural products in animal models

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with increasing incidence in the world, especially in developing countries. Although knowledge of its pathogenesis has progressed over the last years, some details require clarification. Studies have highlighted the role of microbial dysbiosis and immune dysfunction as essential factors that may initiate the typical high-grade inflammatory outcome. In order to better understand the immunopathophysiological aspects of UC, experimental murine models are valuable tools. Some of the most commonly used chemicals to induce colitis are trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, oxazolone and dextran sodium sulfate. These may also be used to investigate new ways of preventing or treating UC and therefore improving targeting in human studies. The use of functional foods or bioactive compounds from plants may constitute an innovative direction towards the future of alternative medicine. Considering the above, this review focused on updated information regarding the 1. gut microbiota and immunopathogenesis of UC; 2. the most utilized animal models of the disease and their relevance; and 3. experimental application of natural products, not yet tested in clinical trials.

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.

Anthocyanins: New techniques and challenges in microencapsulation

Anthocyanins are a bioactive compound belonging to the flavonoid classthatis present in human nutrition through plant-based foods. Due to their antioxidant properties, several health benefits related to their consumption are reported in the literature. The stability of the color and the properties of anthocyanins is strongly affected by pH, solvent, temperature, and other environmental conditions. In addition, the insufficient residence time of anthocyanins in the upper digestive tract causes apartialabsorption, which needs to be improved. These factshave led researchers to investigate new forms of processing that provide minimal degradation. Microencapsulation is a promising possibility to stabilize anthocyanin extracts and allow their addition to food products in a more stable form. The microcapsules can still provide a prolonged gastrointestinal retention time caused by the improvement of the bioadhesive properties in the mucus covering the intestinal epithelium. Although there are efficient and emerging techniques, anthocyanins microencapsulation is still a challenge for the food industry. The purpose of this work is to provide an overview of anthocyanins structure, absorptionand protection, and to show the main conventional and emerging microencapsulation methods and their pros and cons.

Aqueous Extract of Brazilian Berry (Myrciaria jaboticaba) Peel Improves Inflammatory Parameters and Modulates Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in Rats with Induced-Colitis

Natural compounds could be a complementary alternative to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. This study determined the effects of an aqueous extract of Myrciaria jaboticaba peel (EJP) (50 g L^-1) on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis. Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: HC-healthy control, CC-colitis control, DC-drug control, SJ-short-term treatment with EJP, and LJ-long-term treatment with EJP. The EJP treatments reduced body weight loss, stool consistency score, and spleen enlargement. Gut microbiota was modulated through increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts after EJP treatment. Short-chain fatty acids were also higher in the EJP treatment groups. The antioxidant enzyme activities were greater than CC or DC controls. Myeloperoxidase activity (LJ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (LJ/SJ), and intercellular adhesion molecule (SJ) levels were lower than in the CC group. EJP decreased histological scoring, mucosal thickness, and preserved the crypts and histological structure. Therefore, EJP showed beneficial effects and could be potentially used as an adjuvant in IBD treatment.

Grape peel powder promotes intestinal barrier homeostasis in acute TNBS-colitis: A major role for dietary fiber and fiber-bound polyphenols

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by impaired intestinal barrier function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of grape peel powder (GPP) and its bioactive rich-fractions on the barrier function and colonic injury in a model of colitis induced by 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Wistar rats received diets supplemented with either GPP (8%), extractable polyphenols (EP), non-extractable polyphenols-rich fraction (NEP-F), or polyphenols-poor, fiber-rich fraction (F) from grapes at amounts equivalent to the GPP group during 15 days before and for 7 days after colitis induction. NEP-F has decreased the extension of colonic lesion but the other grape peel bioactive fractions did not protect against macroscopic or microscopic colonic damage, EP diet increased macroscopic colonic damage. GPP, EP, and NEP-F reduced claudin-2 mRNA expression, whereas GPP and F fraction increased occludin and ZO-1 mRNA expression. All experimental diets reduced the colitis-triggered increase of MMP-9 mRNA expression. Colitis reduced by 30% the production of cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). GPP and NEP-F completely protected against this effect, whereas F fraction was ineffective. Only GPP and NEP-F were able to decrease the upregulation of GRP94 mRNA triggered by colitis. Dietary fiber seems to reestablish the intestinal barrier function, whereas fiber-bound phenolics were able to restore cecal metabolism to produce beneficial metabolites like SCFA and to reduce the activation of the unfolded protein response.

Fructooligosaccharide intake promotes epigenetic changes in the intestinal mucosa in growing and ageing rats

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fructooligosaccharide (FOS) intake at different life stages of Wistar rats and its stimulatory effects on intestinal parameters.

METHODS

Recently weaned and ageing female rats were divided into growing and ageing treatments, which were fed diets that partially replaced sucrose with FOS for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Dietary FOS intake induced a significant increase in the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in growing rats. FOS intake was associated with increased butyric acid levels and a reduced pH of the caecal contents at both ages. Differential gene expression patterns were observed by microarray analysis of growing and ageing animals fed the FOS diet. A total of 133 genes showed detectable changes in expression in the growing rats, while there were only 19 gene expression changes in ageing rats fed with FOS.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that dietary FOS intake may be beneficial for some parameters of intestinal health in growing rats.

Bioactive compounds of juices from two Brazilian grape cultivars

BACKGROUND

Grape juice consumption may prevent several chronic diseases owing to the presence of phenolic compounds, which have an important role in the reduction of oxidative stress. This study investigated the polyphenol content and antioxidant activities of grape juices from two cultivars: BRS-Cora and Isabella. Total polyphenol content (TPC), anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), and phenolic profile (high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and fluorescence detection--HPLC-DAD-FLD) were determined.

RESULTS

BRS-Cora grape juice showed higher concentrations of total polyphenols and anthocyanins, as well as higher antioxidant potential, than those of Isabella grape juice. A significant positive correlation was found in TPC or anthocyanin contents when correlated with the remaining antioxidant assays. In addition, HPLC-DAD-FLD showed a higher total phenolic content in BRS-Cora grape juice compared to Isabella.

CONCLUSION

The present results show BRS-Cora as a promising cultivar for grape juice production with an improved functional potential.

Polyphenols, antioxidants, and antimutagenic effects of Copaifera langsdorffii fruit

Copaifera langsdorffii (copaiba) is a Brazilian exotic fruit, poorly studied regarding its bioactive composition. The aim of this study was to determine bioactive compounds, antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of copaiba pulp. The samples were extracted with different solvents in order to analyze polyphenol compounds (Folin Ciocalteau and HPLC-DAD), total flavonoids (reaction with AlCl3) and antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ORAC, DPPH). The copaiba fruit showed high polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. Phenolic compounds, such as gallic acid, epicatechin gallate, catechin, epicatechin and isoquercitrin, were identified in the copaiba pulp. Despite the antioxidant capacity, the highest dose of copaiba showed no antimutagenic effects in the in vivo study. The dose which showed antimutagenic activity was 100 mg kg(-1).

Identification and Antioxidant Activity of the Extracts of Eugenia uniflora Leaves. Characterization of the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Aqueous Extract on Diabetes Expression in an Experimental Model of Spontaneous Type 1 Diabetes (NOD Mice)

Medical and folklore reports suggest that Eugenia uniflora (E. uniflora) is a functional food that contains numerous compounds in its composition, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects. In the present study, we investigated the best solvents (water, ethanol and methanol/acetone) for extracting bioactive compounds of E. uniflora leaves, assessing total phenols and the antioxidant activity of the extracts by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), 2,2'-Azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assays, identifying hydrolysable tannins and three phenolic compounds (ellagic acid, gallic acid and rutin) present in the leaves. In addition, we evaluated the incidence of diabetes, degree of insulitis, serum insulin, hepatic glutathione and tolerance test glucose in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Our results suggest that the aqueous extract presents antioxidant activity and high total phenols, which were used as a type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1) treatment in NOD mice. We verified that the chronic consumption of aqueous extract reduces the inflammatory infiltrate index in pancreatic islets, maintaining serum insulin levels and hepatic glutathione, and reducing serum lipid peroxidation as well as the risk for diabetes.

Antioxidant and anti-diabetic potential of Passiflora alata Curtis aqueous leaves extract in type 1 diabetes mellitus (NOD-mice)

Leaves of Passiflora alata Curtis were characterized for their antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant analyses of DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, ORAC and phenolic compounds were made in three different extracts: aqueous, methanol/acetone and ethanol. Aqueous extract was found to be the best solvent for recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, when compared with methanol/acetone and ethanol. To study the anti-inflammatory properties of this extract in experimental type 1 diabetes, NOD mice were divided into two groups: the P. alata group, treated with aqueous extract of P. alata Curtis, and a non-treated control group, followed by diabetes expression analysis. The consumption of aqueous extract and water ad libitum lasted 28 weeks. The treated-group presented a decrease in diabetes incidence, a low quantity of infiltrative cells in pancreatic islets and increased glutathione in the kidney and liver (p<0.05), when compared with the diabetic and non-diabetic control-groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that the consumption of aqueous extract of P. alata may be considered a good source of natural antioxidants and compounds found in its composition can act as anti-inflammatory agents, helping in the control of diabetes.