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Capsicum oleoresin has potential health benefits, particularly against obesity markers. Due to its high pungency, few studies have been done to explore the intake of this ingredient. The objective of this study was to use the Capsicum oleoresin (CO) microencapsulated into a high-fat diet to evaluate its metabolic effect on mice. Two formulation containing 15 % solids were prepared: the first (F1) with 5% CO and 95% emulsifier, and the second (F2) with 2.5% corn oil, 2.5% CO, and 95% emulsifier. These formulation were atomized in a spray dryer. Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography determined the capsaicin content for both formulations. Mice were divided into two groups: lean control (normocaloric AIN diet, n = 10) and high fat (HF diet: hypercaloric, n = 30), which were subdivided into three subgroups: HF control diet (n = 10); diet F1: HF + 20 % CO oleoresin microparticles (n = 10); and diet F2: HF + 20 % CO microparticles containing corn oil (n = 10). The animals treated with the microparticles showed lower glucose levels than the HF control. Mice fed with HF-containing CO microparticles had cholesterol blood levels similar to that of the lean group and lower (<100 mg/dL) than that of the HF control group (150 mg/dL). Capsicum oleoresin microparticles added to high-fat diets promoted lower weight gain and protected the liver against hepatic steatosis. Leptin levels for mice fed with HF diet plus CO microparticles averaged between 2 and 5 ng/ml, whereas the fat control group developed leptin resistance. Capsicum microparticles evidenced a protective effect against dyslipidemia compared to the fat control group, which suggests their use as a potential ingredient for the control of obesity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. is considered a natural anti-inflammatory. In traditional medicine, it is used to reduce cholesterol levels in the treatment of obesity. Foods capable of conferring a protective and nutritious effect have been used to prevent or attenuate the clinical symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases. Ulcerative colitis is a multifactorial inflammatory bowel disease. This study investigated the impact of the consumption of the fibrous fraction (FF) and resistant starch (RS) of fruta-do-lobo in an experimental model of colitis induced with the use 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) in rats. The different colitis groups all experienced decreased weight gain, which could be linked to the inflammatory process ( p = 0.603). Additionally, the experimental model led to increased oxidative stress, higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the elevated gene expression of these cytokines. Despite this, consuming the fibrous fraction of fruta-do-lobo (RS and FF) did not appear to protect the animals against the inflammatory process. Regarding the expression of TNF-α, only the group treated with the drug mesalamine had a reduced serum level of this inflammatory marker ( p = 0.03). Our results showed that the diet containing RS and FF did not protect the intestinal mucosa against TNBS inflammation. New studies on the variation in the time of consumption or the supplemented dose of fruta-do-lobo fibers could help to elucidate their effects in protecting the mucosa.

The consumption of jabuticaba ( Plinia cauliflora ), a native Brazilian fruit, has shown promising results concerning some metabolic disorders. Therefore, studying it may aid in the development of products capable of preventing or delaying pathological conditions. The objective of the present study was to formulate a functional sourdough bread with the inclusion of jabuticaba peel flour (JPF) and to evaluate the effect on the postprandial response. The proximate composition of the JPF and bread, the stability of the antioxidant compounds after baking, and the functional activity in a clinical trial were carried out to develop the product and guarantee its quality. JPF increased the fiber content of the bread in comparison to the control from 1.0 g/100 g to 2.3-2.9 g/100 g. Also, the antioxidant capacity increased 1.35 to 3.53 times by adding JPF to the bread, as well as the total reducing capacity (1.56 to 2.67 times). The bread's shelf life was guaranteed for seven days. In the clinical trial, the consumption of control bread resulted in a glycemia peak at 30 min, remaining high until 45 min; for the JPF bread, we noticed a less prominent peak at 45 min and a decrease with less inflection until 180 min. The serum antioxidant capacity of the individuals increased after the 3 h. Although no statistical difference was observed between the groups in the satiety profile, JPF bread presented higher scores after 60 min. Furthermore, a lessened desire to eat other foods and hunger was observed after consuming JPF bread. The inclusion of JPF in the bread manufacturing process promoted a longer shelf life and increased nutritional quality.

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., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

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., (©2023PublishedbyElsevierLtd.)

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., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

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., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Authors.)

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., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The interest in nutritional strategies that may counteract the deleterious oxidative effects induced by strenuous exercises is remarkable. Herein, the impact of white tea ( Camellia sinensis ) (WT), a polyphenol-rich beverage, on antioxidant status in endurance-trained rats after one session of exhaustive exercise were evaluated. Male Wistar rats were divided into groups, which received: control groups - water, and testing groups - WT1 (0.25%; w/v) or WT2 (0.5%; w/v). Drinks were consumed, ad libitum , for 5 or 10 weeks, concomitantly with the running training. Exhaustive running tests were applied before and after the experimental periods. WT intake increased the serum antioxidant capacity of rats in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001), which was unaccompanied by the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPx, and GR, and GSH content. Inflammatory markers in serum [IL-1β (P = 0.004) and IL-6 (P = 0.001)] could be downregulated by tea intake. In liver tissue, lower levels of lipid oxidation (P < 0.05) and improved antioxidant defenses (SOD, GPx, GR, and GSH, P < 0.05) were related to the consumption of WT in both doses, supporting protective effects in this responsible metabolic organ. In conclusion, long-term consumption of WT could be a promising adjuvant to exercise-stress management, emphasizing its ability to regulate antioxidant responses and prevent oxidative tissue damage., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Authors.)

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.

Studying the composition of a certain food is not enough to predict its health benefits. Research over the past decades has decisively strengthened the notion that any putative health benefit is best related to the fraction of compounds transferred from ingested foods into the body since the absorption may be incomplete after oral consumption. In other words, the bioavailability of food components is crucial information. Therefore, a variety of in vitro models have been developed to predict their bioaccessibility and bioavailability in the most diverse food matrices and food products. These models can also be applied to study the impact of several endogenous or exogenous factors on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of nutrients and bioactive compounds, guiding nutrition and food scientists, technologists, and engineers towards the development of strategies to optimize the positive impact of the diet on well-being and quality of life. While bioavailability is ideally examined in human volunteers, in vitro digestion methods, as well as intestinal absorption and microphysiological models, simulate human physiological conditions. Additionally, in vitro methods are alternatives to offset ethical, economical, and experimental limitations associated with in vivo studies conducted either with individuals or animals. This graphical review draws parallels between in vitro models mimicking digestion processes, uptake, absorption, metabolism, and distribution of dietary compounds and human physiology., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Cinnamon and paprika oleoresins (CPO) are by-products of the spice Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume and the fruit Capsicum annuum L., respectively. They present a hydrophobic nature and various active compounds that can act synergistically. However, they are both susceptible to degradation by light, oxygen, and temperature. This work aimed at identifying the synergistic effect of these oleoresin mixtures, incorporating them into emulsions and characterizing the obtained systems. The CPO concentration was 10%, and whey protein isolate (WPI), gum Arabic (GA), or maltodextrin (MD) were used as wall materials in different proportions, totalizing 30% solids. The synergistic effect was observed in the FRAP assay at a 1:1 CPO ratio, with its expected value being significantly higher than the values for individual oleoresins (p < 0.05). Emulsions containing GA were unstable, while the emulsions containing MD and WPI showed reduced droplet size and viscosity, remaining stable for 7 days. The sample with a 1:3 proportion of MD:WPI as wall material showed higher FRAP and ORAC antioxidant values (24.74 ± 0.83 and 28.77 ± 1.23 mmol TE/g of oleoresin, respectively) and 4.18 mg total carotenoids/g sample. These results suggest the emulsions have a protective effect on active compounds content and can be used as efficient delivery systems for food product applications., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Jabuticaba is a Brazilian berry rich in polyphenols, which may exert beneficial effects on metabolic diseases. This randomized crossover study aimed to determine the effects of jabuticaba juice (250 ml in a portion) on postprandial response. Sixteen healthy subjects (11 women; 5 men; 28.4 ± 3.8 years old; body mass index (BMI) 21.7 ± 2.3 kg m-2) consumed two test products after fasting overnight in a randomized controlled crossover design. Each test product portion had a similar composition of sugar components: 250 mL water with glucose, fructose, colored with artificial non-caloric food colorings (placebo); and 250 mL of jabuticaba juice. Beverages were administered immediately before a carbohydrate meal. Blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after each test product to analyze the concentrations of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, antioxidant capacity, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and appetite sensations. Compared to the placebo, the intake of jabuticaba juice resulted in a higher GLP-1 response as the area under the curve (AUC) and peaking at 60 min. Jabuticaba juice also resulted in higher antioxidant capacity. Postprandial glucose, insulin, C-peptide levels, and appetite sensations were not significantly different between tests. In conclusion, 250 mL of jabuticaba juice before a carbohydrate meal was able to improve the antioxidant status and GLP-1 concentrations in healthy subjects.

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., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a tea from the leaves and flowers of Crataegus oxyacantha in rats with colitis. Colitis was induced by administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Hawthorn tea (HT) (100 mg/kg) was given via gavage for 21 days and the mesalamine drug (100 mg/kg) was administrated during the period of disease onset. HT was rich in total phenolic compounds (16.5%), flavonoids (1.8%), and proanthocyanidins (1.5%); vitexin-2-O-rhamnoside was the main compound detected. Mesalamine and the HT diminished the length of the lesions formed in the colon, in addition to reducing the levels of myeloperoxidase and interleukin-1β. Mesalamine was able to significantly reverse the body weight loss, while HT improved the activity of glutathione reductase and catalase. Histological scoring was not changed by the interventions, but it was highly correlated with the necrotic area. HT given at 100 mg/kg can be effective against colitis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 The Authors.)

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., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following conflict of interests: Cinthia Baú Betim Cazarin; [is an Associate Editor for Heliyon Food Science and Nutrition]., (© 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are illnesses characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation and microbial dysbiosis that have emerged as a public health challenge worldwide. It comprises two main conditions: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Currently, conventional therapy to treat IBD are not free from side effects, such as liver and kidney toxicity, drug resistance, and allergic reactions. In view of this, there is growing research for alternative and complementary therapies that, in addition to acting in the prevention or the control of the disease, do not compromise the quality of life and health of individuals. In this sense, a growing body of evidence has confirmed the benefits of natural phenolic compounds in intestinal health. Phenolic compounds or polyphenols are molecules widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom (flowers, vegetables, leaves, and fruits), including plant materials remaining of the handling and food industrial processing, referred to in the scientific literature as by-products, food waste, or bagasse. Since by-products are low-cost, abundant, easily accessible, safe, and rich in bioactive compounds, it becomes an exciting option to extract, concentrate or isolate phenolic compounds to be posteriorly applied in the therapeutic approach of IBD. In this article, we have reviewed the main phenolic compounds present in various plants and by-products that have shown beneficial and/or promising effects in experimental pre-clinical, clinical, and in vitro research with IBD. In addition, we have mentioned and suggested several plants and by-products originated and produced in Latin America that could be part of future research as good sources of specific phenolic compounds to be applied in the prevention and development of alternative treatments for IBD. This review may offer a valuable reference for studies related to IBD administering phenolic compounds from natural, cheap, and easily accessible raw and undervalued materials., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), mainly Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are high-prevalent chronic gastrointestinal disorders that may cause an important reduction in life quality. Such diseases are characterized by their immune-mediated inflammatory, oxidative and dysbiotic events, which can lead to important symptoms in patients, such as abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and body weicght loss. In the last years, alternative natural options have been postulated for the prevention or treatment of IBDs, since common drug therapy may not be well accepted due to recurrent adverse effects and/or partial efficacy. Among those new natural products, agro-industrial byproducts, such as the peel and seed of foods, are emerging as cheap and pro-ecological options, as they are rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, but also in non-phenolic compounds, like unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibers and prebiotics, carotenoids, bioactive peptides, and vitamins. In that sense, Latin America is rich in little explored native fruits and vegetables, from which great amounts of byproducts can be produced. Studies have shown that the byproducts from Latin American vegetables, such as passion-fruit (Passiflora edulis), pineapple (Ananas comosus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.), for example, could represent interesting tools against IBDs, judging by the results of in vitro and animal studies. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss the potential role of non-phenolic compounds from native Latin American food byproducts in the prevention or treatment of IBDs, by highlighting their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and/or anti-dysbiotic effects., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

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., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

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 (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., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ionic liquids (ILs) derived from compounds obtained from natural sources, such as fatty acids (FAs) have attracted the interest of the scientific and industrial communities because of their sustainable appeal and possible low toxic effects or nontoxicity. These aspects open new perspective of applications in other fields, which demands a better comprehension of their toxicity. This work evaluated the subacute toxicity of bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium carboxylates in Wistar rats, considering the alkyl chain length of FAs (capric and oleic acids), and the concentration (0.16%, 1.6% or 3.2%, w IL /w Oil ) of ILs added in diets. The blood serum of the rats was evaluated in relation to total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase. Lipid peroxidation was determined in plasma, liver and kidney tissues by determining the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Histological analyses of the liver and kidney tissues were performed in order to evaluate morphological changes. No signal of toxicity was observed according to lipid peroxidation. Triglycerides increased with the increasing of the concentration and alkyl chain length of the IL, but no difference in serum level of lipid peroxidation was observed. This behavior may be attributed to the amphiphilic nature of FAs based ILs, which might facilitate lipid digestion. However, more studies are necessary in order to understand such behavior. Therefore, the synthesis of ILs from FAs, has been evaluated as a strategy to produce compounds with low or without toxicity for the agro-food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

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., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

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., (© 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Most phenolic compounds and dietary fiber reach intact to the colon. We hypothesized that grape peel powder (GPP), a rich source of these bioactive compounds, modulates inflammatory and oxidative pathways collaborating to attenuate colonic damage in experimental colitis. To determine which bioactive fraction would be responsible for this effect, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with whole GPP or the isolated bioactive-rich fractions from GPP (extractable polyphenols [EP], dietary fiber and fiber-bound polyphenols [NEP-F], and dietary fiber) in rats with experimental colitis. Colitis was induced by intrarectal injection of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) after 15 days of dietary supplementation. EP diet did not reverse the decrease in feed intake and indeed worsened colon shortening and increased spleen weight; however, these effects were not observed for the GPP group, which had polyphenols associated to the matrix besides the extractable ones. Colitis impaired the activity of colonic antioxidant enzymes and increased lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and proinflammatory cytokines in serum and in the colon tissue. GPP restored the activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreased colon oxidation and NO levels. All grape peel fractions reduced the protein expression of the inhibitor of kappa kinase beta and NO levels in colon tissue, but only NEP-F reduced the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B and myeloperoxidase activity. Results demonstrated that GPP attenuates inflammatory and oxidative response in TNBS-induced colitis by downregulating the nuclear factor kappa B pathway and upregulating antioxidant enzymes, with NEP-F being the fraction most likely associated to these protective effects., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of carotenoids intake of Scenedesmus obliquus, on lipid peroxidation, the endogenous antioxidant defense system as well as the serum lipid profile in vivo. Male mice were divided into control groups and supplemented with different doses of microalgae carotenoids: 0.25 (MC1) and 2.5 (MC2) mg·kg -1 bodyweight. The lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low and high-density lipoprotein) and markers of hepatic toxicity were determined in serum samples. Antioxidant enzymes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were determined in the heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Both doses used to treat the animals did not show adverse effects by markers of hepatic toxicity. MC1 did not cause significant changes in the serum lipid profile. In contrast, it created a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation of the spleen (46%) as well as an increase in the GR in the heart (40%) and GPx in the kidneys (79%) activity. The MC2 treatment also increased GR (49%) in the heart and GPx (243%) in the heart and kidneys (58%) activity, however, significantly increased levels of lipid peroxidation in the liver (160%) as well as serum triglycerides (60%). According to results, it is suggested that the consumption of S. obliquus carotenoids at the MC1 dose was safe to the animals and could be explored as an alternative to improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce lipid peroxidation., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

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.

Jabuticaba peel presents a high content of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, normally considered as a food residue. Nowadays, there is a great interesting in the recovery of bioactive compounds from food residue due to health benefits of the ingredients produced, environmental issues and economic aspects. For the success of phenolic compounds extraction, the solvent and pH influence recovery of these compounds. However, studies that evaluate the use of different weak acids bioactive compounds recovery are scarce. Thus, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of formic, acetic, and phosphoric acids addition in the extraction solvent, to adjust the pH to 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, in bioactive compounds recovery and antioxidant capacity of jabuticaba peel. The extracts were analyzed as antioxidant capacity (ORAC, FRAP), total phenols content monomeric anthocyanin's and a qualitative analysis of phenolics by Liquid Chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The kind of acid used in the extraction process affected mainly in the extraction of anthocyanins. The acid that presented a better recovery of anthocyanin (3.4 mg/g raw material) and a better antioxidant capacity (ORAC) (841 μmol TE/g raw material) was formic acid in pH 1.0., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

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., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity is a complex condition of high prevalence and cost to the public health system. Recent research has demonstrated the potential of natural products, such as polyphenol-rich fruit extracts, for use in the treatment of obesity. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the metabolic effects of polyphenol-rich fruit extracts on diet-induced obesity (DIO) in rodents., Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify preclinical studies that assessed polyphenol-rich fruit extracts compared to placebo on DIO in rodents in December 2018. Two researchers selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of studies. Meta-analyses of standardized mean difference (SMD) of outcomes were calculated in Stata 11, and causes of heterogeneity were assessed by meta-regression., Results: We included 14 studies in the systematic review and 13 studies with 21 matched groups in the metaanalysis. Polyphenol-rich fruit extracts reduced the total body weight gain (SMD = -1.48; confidence interval: - 1.95, -1.01), energy intake (SMD = -0.42; -0.67, -0.17), visceral adipose tissue (SMD = -0.96; -1.25, -0.66), triglycerides (SMD = -1.00; -1.39, -0.62), cholesterol (SMD = -1.18, -1.66, -0.69), LDL- c (SMD = -1.15; -1.65, - 0.65), fasting glucose (SMD = -1.05; -1.65, -0.46), and fasting insulin (SMD = -1.40; -1.80, -1.00) when compared to vehicle., Conclusion: Polyphenol-rich fruit extract had positive effects on weight gain, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance at different doses, and fruit source in male mice., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Numerous microorganisms colonize the human gastrointestinal tract playing pivotal roles in relation to digestion and absorption of dietary components. They biotransform food components and produce metabolites, which in combination with food components shape and modulate the host immune system and metabolic responses. Reciprocally, the diet modulates the composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiota, which subsequently influence host biochemical processes establishing a system of mutual interaction and inter-dependency. Macronutrients, fibers, as well as polyphenols and prebiotics are strong drivers shaping the composition of the gut microbiota. Especially, short-chain fatty acids produced from ingested fibers and tryptophan metabolites are key in modulating host immune responses. Since reciprocal interactions between diet, host, and microbiota are personal, understanding this complex network of interactions calls for novel use of large datasets and the implementation of machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence. In this review, we aim to provide a base for future investigations of how interactions between food components and gut microbiota may influence or even determine human health and disease., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

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.

Passion fruit seeds are currently discarded on the pulp processing but are known for their high piceatannol and scirpusin B contents. Using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), these highly valuable phenolic compounds were efficiently extracted from defatted passion fruit bagasse (DPFB). PLE was performed using mixtures of ethanol and water (50 to 100% ethanol, w/w) as solvent, temperatures from 50 to 70°C and pressure at 10MPa. The extraction methods were compared in terms of the global yield, total phenolic content (TPC), piceatannol content and the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. The DPFB extracts were also compared with those from non-defatted passion fruit bagasse (nDPFB). Identification and quantification of piceatannol were performed using UHPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that high TPC and piceatannol content were achieved for the extracts obtained from DPFB through PLE at 70°C and using 50 and 75% ethanol as the solvent. The best PLE conditions for TPC (70°C, 75% ethanol) resulted in 55.237mgGAE/g dried and defatted bagasse, whereas PLE at 70°C and 50% ethanol achieved 18.590mg of piceatannol/g dried and defatted bagasse, and such yields were significantly higher than those obtained using conventional extraction techniques. The antioxidant capacity assays showed high correlation with the TPC (r>0.886) and piceatannol (r>0.772). The passion fruit bagasse has therefore proved to be a rich source of piceatannol and PLE showed high efficiency to recover phenolic compounds from defatted passion fruit bagasse., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Passiflora alata Curtis (P. alata) leaves have anti-inflammatory properties; the present study aimed to investigate the anti-diabetogenic properties of P. alata aqueous leaf extract. HPLC analysis identified the phenolic compounds catechin, epicatechin and rutin. The aqueous extract was administered for 30weeks to non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice presenting a decrease of 28.6% in diabetes incidence and the number of inflammatory cells in pancreatic islets, when compared with the control group (water). The P. alata group presented an antioxidant effect and decreased lipid peroxidation in the serum of NOD mice. Increased numbers of insulin-positive cells were also observed in the pancreatic islets of the treated group. The diabetic group exhibited higher levels in the glucose tolerance test and glycemic index, in comparison to the P. alata-treated group and non-diabetic control BALB/c mice. In addition, the P. alata extract reduced the percentage and the proliferation index of NOD mice lymphocytes submitted to in vitro dose/response mitogenic stimulation assays. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of P. alata has anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to the protection of beta cells in pancreatic islets in NOD mice, and presents potential for use a supporting approach to treat type 1 diabetes., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.)