RESUMO
Flour made from Passiflora edulis fruit peel has been used in Brazil to treat diabetes. This study evaluated the effects of pectin from P. edulis on rats with alloxan-induced diabetes, on myeloperoxidase release from human neutrophils, and on carrageenan-induced paw edema. In the experiments on carrageenan-induced paw edema, paws were dissected for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry determinations of tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: diabetic controls and diabetic treated with pectin daily for 5 days (0.5-25 mg/kg orally). Glibenclamide and metformin were used as reference drugs. Forty-eight hours after alloxan administration, blood measures were determined (before treatment) and again 5 days later (after treatment). Pectin decreased blood glucose and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats. Pectin also decreased edema volume and release of myeloperoxidase (0.1-100 µg/mL). It also significantly decreased neutrophil infiltration and partially decreased immunostaining for tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase. In conclusion, these data indicated that pectin, a bioactive compound present in P. edulis, has potential as a useful alternative treatment for type 2 diabetes. Its anti-inflammatory properties are probably involved in its antidiabetic action.