Probiotic Yogurt Supplemented with Lactococcus lactis R7 and Red Guava Extract: Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds and Influence in Antioxidant Activity and Action of Alpha-amylase and Alpha-glucosidase Enzymes.

The industry has increasingly explored the development of foods with functional properties, where supplementation with probiotics and bioactive compounds has gained prominence. In this context, the study aimed to evaluate the influence of in vitro biological digestion on the content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities of probiotic yogurt supplemented with the lactic acid bacteria Lactococcus lactis R7 and red guava extract (Psidium cattleianum). A yogurt containing L. lactis R7 (0.1%) and red guava extract (4%) was characterized for the content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and potential for inhibition of digestive enzymes after a simulated in vitro digestion process. After digestion, the caffeic and hydroxybenzoic acids remained, and sinapic acid only in the last digestive phase. Antioxidant activity decreased during digestion by 28.93, 53.60, and 27.97% for DPPH, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radicals, respectively, and the inhibition of the α-amylase enzyme decreased only 4.01% after the digestion process. α-glucosidase was more efficient in intestinal digestion, demonstrating an increase of almost 50% in probiotic yogurt with red guava extract before digestion. Possibly, the phenolics change their conformation during digestion, generating new compounds, reducing antioxidant activity, and increasing the inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase digestive enzymes. It was concluded that the probiotic yogurt formulation supplemented with red guava extract could interfere with the concentration of phenolic compounds and the formation of new compounds, suggesting a positive and effective inhibition of the digestive enzymes, even after the digestive process.

Fruits, seeds and leaves of guabijuzeiro (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand): characteristics, uses and health benefits.

Native fruit trees have potential for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, which is widely used in folk medicine. Guabiju, known as guabijuzeiro (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) is a perennial tree that belongs to the family Myrtaceae, occurring in Brazil from São Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul, and other countries like Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. This species demonstrates great commercial potential regarding the consumption of its fresh fruit or industrialized. Due to its importance is necessary to develop studies aimed at characterization (phenotypic, propagative, reproductive, chemical and nutritional), uses and applications. However, the available information has never been systematized and in this sense the objective of this review is to compile information about the species to guide further research. Regarding morphology, the guabijuzeiro is a semi-deciduous tree species, with propagation is carried out mainly through seeds and vegetative. Regarding reproductive aspects, there is a lack of studies that assess the mode of reproduction. The fruit can be consumed fresh or processed as ice cream, juice, freeze-dried or dehydrated. It is sweet and slightly acidic, low in calories, high in carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, calcium and potassium. Both the fruit, the seed and the leaves have high levels of bioactive compounds and high antioxidant capacity. The fruit pulp stands out for its carotenoids and phenolic compounds and the peel is rich in anthocyanins, especially in the mature phase, in addition to terpenoids. M. pungens has antimicrobial effects, gastroprotective activity and is promising in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and against the side effects of cisplatin, an anticancer agent. Finally, there is a need for further studies with this species, mainly in the characterization of the leaves, uses and applications of the fruit.

Psidium cattleianum fruit extract prevents systemic alterations in an animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus: comparison with metformin effects.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the role of Psidium cattleianum extract (PCE) and compare its effects with those of metformin (Met) in an animal model with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: T2DM was induced in rats using a high-fat diet (HFD), followed by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ). Met and PCE were administered intragastrically once a day throughout the experiment, and their effects on biochemical, inflammatory, oxidative, and histological parameters were evaluated.Results: Met and PCE prevented the increase in serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) induced by T2DM, and restored redox homeostasis in the liver and brain. Met increased the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Furthermore, both treatments restored the liver and pancreas from marked cellular disorganisation, vacuolisation, and necrosis, with PCE being more effective than Met in recovering histological changes.Conclusion: PCE is a promising agent for the prevention of T2DM complications.

Therapeutic potential of blackberry extract in the preventing memory deficits and neurochemical alterations in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of a rat model with amnesia.

The blackberry (Rubus sp.) is a popular fruit that has a high concentration of phenolic compounds. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated the important biological activities of the blackberry extract, such as neuroprotective actions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of blackberry extract on memory and neurochemical parameters in rats subjected to scopolamine (SCO)-induced amnesia. Male rats were divided into five groups: I, control (saline); II, SCO; III, SCO + Rubus sp. (100 mg/kg); IV, SCO + Rubus sp. (200 mg/kg); and V, SCO + donepezil (5 mg/kg). Blackberry extract and donepezil were orally administered for 10 days. On day 11, group I received saline, and groups II, III, IV, and V received SCO (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally after object recognition behavioral training. Twenty-four hours after the training session, animals were subjected to an object recognition test. Finally, the animals were euthanized, and the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum were collected to evaluate the oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Rubus sp. extract prevented memory impairment induced by SCO in a manner similar to that of donepezil. Additionally, Rubus sp. extract and donepezil prevented the increase in AChE activity induced by SCO in all the evaluated brain structures. SCO induced oxidative damage in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, which was prevented by Rubus sp. and donepezil. Our results suggest that the antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of Rubus sp. are associated with memory improvement; hence, it can potentially be used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Effect of blueberry extract on energetic metabolism, levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and Ca2+-ATPase activity in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats submitted to ketamine-induced mania-like behavior.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric disease characterized by mood episodes. Blueberry is rich in bioactive compounds and shows excellent therapeutic potential against chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of blueberry extract on behavior, energetic metabolism, Ca2+-ATPase activity, and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats submitted to an animal model of mania induced by ketamine. Vehicle, lithium (45 mg/kg, twice a day), or blueberry extract (200 mg/kg), was orally administered to Wistar rats for 14 days. Ketamine (25 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally, once a day, between the 8th and 14th day. On the 15th day, animals received ketamine or vehicle and were subjected to the open field test. Our results demonstrated that the administration of lithium and blueberry extract prevented ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion (P < 0.01). Blueberry extract attenuated the ketamine-induced reduction in the activity of complex I in the cerebral cortex (P < 0.05). Additionally, the administration of ketamine reduced the activities of complexes I and IV (P < 0.05) and citrate synthase in the hippocampus (P < 0.01). However, blueberry extract attenuated the inhibition in the activity of complex IV (P < 0.01). Furthermore, ketamine reduced the Ca2+-ATPase activity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (P < 0.05); however, blueberry extract prevented the change in the cerebral cortex (P < 0.05). There were no significant alterations in the levels of BDNF (P > 0.05). In conclusion, this suggested that the blueberry extract can serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for studies searching for novel therapeutic alternatives for BD patients.

Apple Phenolic Extracts Strongly Inhibit α-Glucosidase Activity.

The beneficial health effects of apple consumption are well known, however, little is known about the potential of its phenolic fractions to inhibit α-glucosidases and thereafter to treat diseases related to the carbohydrate metabolism, such as postprandial hyperglycemia and diabetes. In the present study, the α-glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant activity of different phenolic fractions of apple were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the phenolic fractions were chemically characterized by LC-MS in order to identify the compounds responsible for the biological properties. The purified extract (not fractionated) had the highest α-glucosidase and hydroxyl radical inhibitions. The purified extract and fractions III and IV were more active against the enzyme activity than the positive control acarbose, the drug used by diabetic patients to treat postprandial hyperglycaemia. Our results show that apple phenolic extracts strongly inhibit α-glucosidase acitivity, validating their potential to be used in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Southern Brazilian native fruit shows neurochemical, metabolic and behavioral benefits in an animal model of metabolic syndrome.

In this work, we evaluated the effects of Psidium cattleianum (Red Type) (PcRT) fruit extract on metabolic, behavioral, and neurochemical parameters in rats fed with a highly palatable diet (HPD) consisted of sucrose (65% carbohydrates being 34% from condensed milk, 8% from sucrose and 23% from starch, 25% protein and 10% fat). Animals were divided into 4 groups: standard chow, standard chow + PcRT extract (200 mg/Kg/day by gavage), HPD, HPD + extract. The animals were treated for 150 days. Concerning chemical profiling, LC/PDA/MS/MS analysis revealed cyanidin-3-O-glucoside as the only anthocyanin in the PcRT extract. Our results showed that the animals exposed to HPD presented glucose intolerance, increased weight gain and visceral fat, as well as higher serum levels of glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and interleukin-6. These alterations were prevented by PcRT. In addition, HPD caused an increase in immobility time in a forced swimming test and the fruit extract prevented this alteration, indicating an antidepressant-like effect. PcRT treatment also prevented increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the prefrontal cortex caused by HPD consumption. Moreover, PcRT extract was able to restore Ca2+-ATPase activity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, as well as Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. PcRT treatment decreased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, nitrite, and reactive oxygen species levels and prevented the reduction of superoxide dismutase activity in all cerebral structures of the HPD group. Additionally, HPD decreased catalase in the hippocampus and striatum. However, the extract prevented this change in the hippocampus. Our results showed that this berry extract has antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects, and neuroprotective properties, proving to be a potential therapeutic agent for individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Berries grown in Brazil: anthocyanin profiles and biological properties.

BACKGROUND: Phytochemical profiles of two Brazilian native fruits - pitanga (red and purple) and araçá (yellow and red) - as well as strawberry cultivars Albion, Aromas and Camarosa, blackberry cultivar Tupy and blueberry cultivar Bluegen cultivated in Brazil were characterized for total phenolic content and total anthocyanin content by liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array and a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Radical scavenging, antiherpes and cytotoxic activities of these berry extracts were also evaluated. RESULTS: Blueberry presented the highest total anthocyanin content (1202 mg cyanidin-O-glucoside equivalents kg-1 fresh fruit), while strawberry cultivar Aromas presented the highest total phenolic content (13 550 mg gallic acid equivalents kg-1 fresh fruit). Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis resulted in the identification of 21 anthocyanins. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of cyanidin-O-glucoside in yellow and red Araçá fruit and the first time eight anthocyanins have been reported in pitanga fruits. DPPH and ABTS assays showed that blueberry cultivar Bluegen, blackberry cultivar Tupy and pitanga (red and purple) showed the most promising antiradical activities, respectively. No relevant cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines or antiherpes activity was detected under the experimental conditions tested. CONCLUSION: Total anthocyanin content of all fruits had a strong positive correlation with their free radical scavenging activity, suggesting anthocyanins contribute to the antioxidant potential of these fruits. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Autophagy induced by purple pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) extract triggered a cooperative effect on inducing the hepatic stellate cell death.

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the major source of collagen I in liver fibrosis. Eugenia uniflora L. is a tree species that is widely distributed in South America. E. uniflora L. fruit-popularly known as pitanga-has been shown to exert beneficial properties. Autophagy contributes to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and survival under stress situation, but it has also been suggested to be an alternative cell death pathway. Mitochondria play a pivotal role on signaling cell death. Mitophagy of damaged mitochondria is an important cell defense mechanism against organelle-mediated cell death signaling. We previously found that purple pitanga extract induced mitochondrial dysfunction, cell cycle arrest, and death by apoptosis and necrosis in GRX cells, a well-established activated HSC line. We evaluated the effects of 72-h treatment with crescent concentrations of purple pitanga extract (5 to 100 µg/mL) on triggering autophagy in GRX cells, as this is an important mechanism to cells under cytotoxic conditions. We found that all treated cells presented an increase in the mRNA expression of autophagy-related protein 7 (ATG7). Concomitantly, flow cytometry and ultrastructural analysis of treated cells revealed an increase of autophagosomes/autolysosomes that consequentially led to an increased mitophagy. As purple pitanga extract was previously found to be broadly cytotoxic to GRX cells, we postulated that autophagy contributes to this scenario, where cell death seems to be an inevitable fate. Altogether, the effectiveness on inducing activated HSC death can make purple pitanga extract a good candidate on treating liver fibrosis.

Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of purple pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) extract on activated hepatic stellate cells.

The presence of phenolic compounds in fruit- and vegetable-rich diets has attracted researchers' attention due to their health-promoting effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of purple pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) extract on cell proliferation, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell death and cell cycle in murine activated hepatic stellate cells (GRX). Cell viability by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was significantly decreased on cells treated with 50 and 100 µg ml(-1) of purple pitanga extract for 48 and 72 h, and the percentage of dead cell stained with 7-amino-actinomycin D was significantly higher in treated cells. The reduction of cell proliferation was dose dependent, and we also observed alterations on cell cycle progression. At all times studied, GRX cells treated with 50 and 100 µg ml(-1) of purple pitanga showed a significant reduction in cellular mitochondrial content as well as a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, our results indicated that purple pitanga extract induces early and late apoptosis/necrosis and necrotic death in GRX cells. This is the first report describing the antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptotic activity for E. uniflora fruits in hepatic stellate cells. The present study provides a foundation for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis, and more studies will be carried to elucidate this effect.

Effects of different products of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) from a variety developed in southern Brazil on oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters in vitro and ex vivo.

Antioxidant, anti-glycation and anti-inflammatory activities of fresh and conserved peach fruits (Prunus persica L. Batsch) were compared. Fresh peach pulps, peels, preserve peach pulps and the preserve syrup were prepared at equal concentrations. Rat liver, kidney and brain cortex tissue slices were pre-incubated with peach samples, subjected to oxidative stress with FeSO4 and hydrogen peroxide. Fresh peach pulps and peel conferred higher protection against cytotoxicity and oxidative stress than preserve peach pulps in most tissues. Release of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß was also significantly decreased by Fresh peach pulps and peel, followed by preserve peach pulps. Total phenolic determination and HPLC analysis of carotenoids showed that the content of secondary metabolites in Fresh peach pulps and peel is significantly higher than in preserve peach pulps, while the syrup had only small or trace amounts of these compounds. Fresh peach pulps and Peel demonstrated high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects preventing against induced damage.

Antiproliferative Cancer Cell and Fungicidal Effects of Yellow and Red Araçá (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) Fruit Extract.

Araçá is a native Brazil fruit, and has two morphological types, yellow and red; however, it is still little consumed by the population. Although there are few studies on the araçá fruit, some phytochemical propriety benefits have been described for this plant, such as antioxidant effects. To explore the benefits of araçá fruit, the physicochemical characteristics and in vitro toxicological effects of red and yellow araçá fruit were evaluated. In this work, the toxicity of araçá extracts in NIH/3T3 cell lines, the antiproliferative effects in cancer cell lines (C6, HT-29, and DU149), and the overall antifungal effects were evaluated. The irritant potential of araçá extracts was assessed by the HET-CAM test. The results demonstrated that the fruits are rich in fiber content and showed high phenols content. In addition, the araçá extracts had no present toxicity effects in cell lines; however, the red araçá extracts showed antiproliferative effects in HT-29 cancer cells at 50 mg/mL. The antifungal effects of araçá extract were promising in 23 isolates of Candida spp., and both araçá extracts showed no irritant effects. Therefore, this study demonstrated that red and yellow araçá fruit extract has promising biological and pharmacological effects that should be further explored.

Brazilian native fruit extracts act as preventive agents modulating the purinergic and cholinergic signalling in blood cells and serum in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of native fruit extracts on inflammatory and thromboregulatory parameters in animal model of metabolic syndrome (MetS) induced by highly palatable diet (HPD). Rats were divided into 4 experimental groups: standard chow, HPD, HPD and Psidium cattleianum extract, and HPD and Eugenia uniflora extract. HPD increased serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. On the other hand, this change was prevented by extracts. HPD decreased NTPDase activity in lymphocytes and platelets and 5'-nucleotidase in platelets. Treatment with extracts prevented these changes. An increase in adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was prevented by E. uniflora in lymphocytes and serum of rats. Fruit extracts prevented the increase in the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in lymphocytes and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in serum induced by the HPD. Brazilian native fruit extracts have anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects, demonstrating therapeutic potential in the prevention of complications associated with MetS.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of Aqueous Extract and Essential Oil of Thymus Serrulatus Hochst. Ex Benth.

Thymus serrulatus, an endemic plant of Ethiopia, is traditionally used to cure various diseases and as a food ingredient. In the Ethiopian folk medicine, the decoction is orally taken as a remedy to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects of the aqueous extract and of the essential oil of Thymus serrulatus. The chemical composition of the aqueous extract was determined by LC-MS and the essential oil was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Radical scavenging assays, namely scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), hydroxyl (•OH), and nitric oxide (•NO), were used as a first approach to screen the potential antioxidant abilities of the samples. Alpha-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory studies were also employed to evaluate the in vitro antihyperglycemic potential of the plant. The in vivo blood glucose lowering effect of the extracts was assessed using hypoglycemic activity and the oral glucose tolerance test in normal and in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. When compared to the aqueous extract, the essential oil showed superior radical scavenging activity, particularly for •NO, as well as greater inhibitory potency against α-amylase and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.01 mg/ml and 0.11 mg/ml, respectively). Both tested samples showed a statistically significant antihyperglycemic effect. The aqueous extract at 600 mg/kg exerted maximum antihyperglycemic activity (44.14%), followed by the essential oil (30.82%). Body weight and glucose tolerance parameters were also improved by the samples both in normal and diabetic mice. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that aqueous extract and essential oil of T. serrulatus are promising therapeutic agents.

Natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES): A strategy to improve the bioavailability of blueberry phenolic compounds in a ready-to-use extract.

This study investigated whether a ready-to-use extract obtained using a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) affects the pharmacokinetic profile of blueberry phenolic compounds compared to organic solvent (SORG)-extracted compounds. SORG extract was administered as an aqueous solution after solvent removal. Wistar rats received a single dose of crude extract of blueberry obtained using NADES (CE-NADES) or SORG (CE-SORG), followed by LC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of blood and cecal feces. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that CE-NADES increased the bioavailability of anthocyanins by 140% compared to CE-SORG. CE-NADES increased the stability of phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion by delaying gastric chyme neutralization. These results suggest that besides being an eco-friendly solvent for the extraction of phytochemicals, choline chloride:glycerol:citric acid-based NADES can be used as a ready-to-use vehicle for increasing oral absorption of bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins.

Comprehensive identification and quantification of unexploited phenolic compounds from red and yellow araçá (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS.

LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS was used to comprehensively characterise the non-extractable phenolic compounds (NEPC) in red and yellow araçá genotypes. Results showed a total of 45 and 43 phenolic compounds in the NEPC fraction and, similarly, 51 and 50 compounds in extractable phenolic compounds (EPC) fraction from red and yellow araçá, respectively. Gallic acid and ellagic acid were the unique compounds found in both fractions. The NEPC fraction represented about 35% (m/m) of the total phenolic content and was characterised by an abundance of phenolic acids, while the EPC fraction was rich in flavanols. Although NEPC represented one-third of the total phenolic compounds found in araçá, its antioxidant capacity (against peroxyl radical) was 50% higher than the EPC fraction. The results of this work show that the NEPC fraction of araçá has great diversity and a relatively high concentration of low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity.

Characterization of a new blackberry cultivar BRS Xingu: Chemical composition, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo.

The cultivar BRS Xingu was launched by EMBRAPA in 2015 with the intention of presenting higher productivity. Due to the lack of studies on this cultivar, the objective was to present the physical-chemical, centesimal, and phenolic composition of the BRS Xingu blackberry, its antioxidant capacity, protection against ROS generation, and compare it with other commercialized cultivars such as Guarani, Tupy, and Xavante. The BRS Xingu was prominent regarding anthocyanin and condensed tannin content and superior to the other cultivars. Moreover, BRS Xingu presented higher antioxidant capacity, protection of C. elegans from ROS generation, and soluble solid content when compared to Tupy, which is the most cultivated variety in the world. In the new cultivar, five anthocyanins, five phenolic acids, and ten non-anthocyanin flavonoids were identified. BRS Xingu is presented as an alternative blackberry with potential for industrialization and in natura consumption.

Natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES)-based blueberry extracts protect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Blueberry is a polyphenol-rich fruit bearing great bioactive potential. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) emerged as putatively biocompatible solvents that could substitute for toxic organic solvents in the extraction of fruit phenolic compounds for developing nutraceuticals or functional foods. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the gastroprotective effects and the biocompatibility of a blueberry crude extract (CE) obtained using NADES and of the extract fractions (anthocyanin-rich fraction - ARF; non-anthocyanin phenolic fraction - NAPF) in a model of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. CE was the NADES-containing, ready-to-use extract that was obtained using choline chloride:glycerol:citric acid NADES (0.5:2:0.5 M ratio). ARF and NAPF were the NADES-free fractions obtained by solid phase purification of CE and were investigated to identify the bioactive fraction responsible for the effects of CE. Animals were treated for 14 days with water, NADES vehicle, CE, ARF, NAPF or lansoprazole (intragastric) and then received ethanol to induce gastric ulcer. CE decreased ulcer index and preserved the integrity of gastric mucosa. The pretreatment with CE or ARF reduced glutathione depletion and the inflammatory response. All treatments, including NADES vehicle reduced protein oxidation and nitric oxide overproduction in ethanol-treated rats. Additionally, ARF increased short-chain fatty acids in feces. These findings suggest that NADES can be used to obtain biocompatible extracts of blueberry that exhibit gastroprotective effects with no need of solvent removal. The gastroprotective effects were mainly associated to ARF but NAPF and even NADES vehicle also contributed to some protective effects.

Correction: Effect of in vitro digestion on the functional properties of Psidium cattleianum Sabine (araçá), Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick (butiá) and Eugenia uniflora L. (pitanga) fruit extracts.

Correction for 'Effect of in vitro digestion on the functional properties of Psidium cattleianum Sabine (araçá), Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick (butiá) and Eugenia uniflora L. (pitanga) fruit extracts' by Juliana Vinholes, et al., Food Funct., 2018, 9, 6380-6390.

Inhibition of growth and induction of differentiation of colon cancer cells by peach and plum phenolic compounds.

The action of extracts from anthocyanin-enriched plums and peaches on growth and differentiation was studied with human colon cancer cells. Growth inhibitory effects were observed in Caco-2, SW1116, HT29 and NCM460 cells. In Caco-2 cells but not in the other cells studied there was evidence for increased differentiation as judged by increased activity of alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidyl peptidase. A differentiating effect on Caco-2 cells was not seen with cyanidin or cyanidin-3-glucoside but the action of the fruit extracts was additive with the action of butyrate and with the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. Fractionation using C18 indicated activity resided within a fraction containing anthocyanins but further fractionation using LH-20 suggested that most of the activity was in a fraction containing polyphenols other than anthocyanins. It was concluded that several peach and plum phenolic molecules can influence growth and differentiation in human colon cancer cells.