Extract of Araçá-Boi and Its Major Phenolic Compound, Trans-Cinnamic Acid, Reduce Viability and Inhibit Migration of Human Metastatic Melanoma Cells.

Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer that is recognized for its high metastatic potential and the challenges it presents in its treatment. There has been increasing interest in plant extracts and their potential applications in melanoma. The present study aimed to investigate the content of individual phenolic compounds in araçá-boi extract, evaluate their antioxidant activity, and explore their effects on cell viability, migration properties, oxidative stress levels, and protein expression in the human metastatic melanoma cell line SK-MEL-28. HPLC-DAD analysis identified 11 phenolic compounds in the araçá-boi extract. Trans-cinnamic acid was the main phenolic compound identified; therefore, it was used alone to verify its contribution to antitumor activities. SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells were treated for 24 h with different concentrations of araçá-boi extract and trans-cinnamic acid (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1600 µg/mL). Both the araçá-boi extract and trans-cinnamic acid reduced cell viability, cell migration, and oxidative stress in melanoma cells. Additionally, they modulate proteins involved in apoptosis and inflammation. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of araçá-boi extract and its phenolic compounds in the context of melanoma, especially in strategies focused on preventing metastasis. Additional studies, such as the analysis of specific signaling pathways, would be valuable in confirming and expanding these observations.

Eugenia calycina and Eugenia stigmatosa as Promising Sources of Antioxidant Phenolic Compounds.

In this study, Eugenia calycina and Eugenia stigmatosa, native Brazilian berries, were explored regarding their proximal composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities. The edible parts of both fruits presented a low content of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, resulting in a low caloric value (<70 kcal/100 g fw). E. stigmatosa fruit showed a high total fiber content (3.26 g/100 g fw), qualifying it as a source of dietary fiber. The sugar profile was mainly monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, and rhamnose). Significant contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, monomeric anthocyanins and, condensed tannins, were observed in both fruits. E. calycina contains a high level of anthocyanins, primarily cyanidin-3-glucoside (242.97 µg/g). Other phenolic compounds were also found, the main ones being rutin and ellagic acid. In contrast, E. stigmatosa is mainly composed of rutin and gallic acid. Furthermore, these fruits showed expressive antioxidant activity, evidenced by ORAC, FRAP, and ABTS. These Eugenia fruits are promising sources of bioactive compounds and have a low caloric and high dietary fiber content, making them interesting options for inclusion in a balanced diet, contributing to the promotion of health and the valorization and conservation of Brazilian biodiversity.

Health Benefits of the Alkaloids from Lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill): A Comprehensive Review.

Solanum is the largest genus within the Solanaceae family and has garnered considerable attention in chemical and biological investigations over the past 30 years. In this context, lobeira or "fruta-do-lobo" (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill), a species predominantly found in the Brazilian Cerrado, stands out. Beyond the interesting nutritional composition of the fruits, various parts of the lobeira plant have been used in folk medicine as hypoglycemic, sedative, diuretic, antiepileptic, and antispasmodic agents. These health-beneficial effects have been correlated with various bioactive compounds found in the plant, particularly alkaloids. In this review, we summarize the alkaloid composition of the lobeira plant and its biological activities that have been reported in the scientific literature in the last decades. The compiled data showed that lobeira plants and fruits contain a wide range of alkaloids, with steroidal glycoalkaloid solamargine and solasonine being the major ones. These alkaloids, but not limited to them, contribute to different biological activities verified in alkaloid-rich extracts/fractions from the lobeira, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antigenotoxic, antidiabetic, antinociceptive, and antiparasitic effects. Despite the encouraging results, additional research, especially toxicological, pre-clinical, and clinical trials, is essential to validate these human health benefits and ensure consumers' safety and well-being.

Açai pulp improves cognition and insulin sensitivity in obese mice.

SCOPE: Obesity and insulin resistance constitute risk factors for the development of tauopathies and other neurodegenerative diseases. (Poly)phenol compounds are under study for its role in protecting effects against neural injuries and degeneration. Here, we investigated the effect of Amazonian açai pulp (AP) intake in the prevention of memory and cognitive impairment resulting from a high-fat diet intake in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Obesity and insulin resistance was induced with a high-fat diet and supplemented with 2% AP to investigate peripheral insulin resistance, recognition memory and tau protein stability via AKT/GSK3-ß signaling pathway. The consumption of AP for 70 days improved peripheral insulin sensitivity and phosphorylation of AKT/GSK3-ß in mice hippocampi. The animals fed high-fat diets supplemented with AP showed better performance in the novel object recognition test (NOR) in comparison to the H group. Catalase activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) values were improved in the treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the supplementation of AP can attenuate the effects of high-fat diet consumption in peripheral insulin resistance and improve cognitive behavior.

A multi-omics approach to understand the influence of polyphenols in ovarian cancer for precision nutrition: a mini-review.

The impact of polyphenols in ovarian cancer is widely studied observing gene expression, epigenetic alterations, and molecular mechanisms based on new 'omics' technologies. Therefore, the combination of omics technologies with the use of phenolic compounds may represent a promising approach to precision nutrition in cancer. This article provides an updated review involving the current applications of high-throughput technologies in ovarian cancer, the role of dietary polyphenols and their mechanistic effects in ovarian cancer, and the current status and challenges of precision nutrition and their relationship with big data. High-throughput technologies in different omics science can provide relevant information from different facets for identifying biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and selection of specific therapies for personalized treatment. Furthermore, the field of omics sciences can provide a better understanding of the role of polyphenols and their function as signaling molecules in the prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer. Although we observed an increase in the number of investigations, there are several approaches to data acquisition, analysis, and integration that still need to be improved, and the standardization of these practices still needs to be implemented in clinical trials.

Scientific Advances in the Last Decade on the Recovery, Characterization, and Functionality of Bioactive Compounds from the Araticum Fruit (Annona crassiflora Mart.).

Araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) is a native and endemic species to Brazilian Cerrado whose fruits have high sensorial, nutritional, bioactive, and economic potential. Its use in local folk medicine, associated with recent scientific findings, has attracted growing interest from different industrial sectors. Therefore, understanding the scientific advances achieved so far and identifying gaps to be filled is essential to direct future studies and transform accumulated knowledge into innovative technologies and products. In this review, we summarize the phytochemical composition, bioactivities, and food products from araticum fruit that have been reported in the scientific literature over the past 10 years. The compiled data showed that araticum fruit parts contain a wide range of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic compounds, alkaloids, annonaceous acetogenins, carotenoids, phytosterols, and tocols. These phytochemicals contribute to different biological activities verified in araticum fruit extracts/fractions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antidyslipidemic, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, healing of the cutaneous wound, antibacterial, and insecticide effects. Despite the promising findings, further studies-particularly toxicological (especially, with byproducts), pre-clinical, and clinical trials-must be conducted to confirm these biological effects in humans and assure the safety and well-being of consumers.

Enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity of Thymus vulgaris, Lippia sidoides, and Cymbopogon citratus emulsions when combined with mannosylerythritol a lipid biosurfactant.

Essential oils (EOs) are natural and effective agents for controlling microorganisms which cause biodeterioration and disease. However, their application is hampered/restricted due to hydrophobicity and rapid vaporization of these compounds. Encapsulation technology provides an effective approach to maintain EO stabilization and prevent the loss of volatile ingredients. Meanwhile, using a synthetic surfactant is seen as counter-productive; therefore, a natural biosurfactant is more reasonable and can potentially increase activity due to its other biological proprieties. This work aims to evaluate the mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL) biosurfactant combined with Thymus vulgaris, Lippia sidoides, and Cymbopogon citratus essential oil emulsions (O/W) and evaluate its antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity. The biosurfactant MEL demonstrated activity against Bacillus subtilis and Penicillium sp. After emulsification, the antimicrobial activity of Thymus vulgaris and Lippia sidoides was increased against Escherichia coli (500 µg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus (600 µg/mL), Bacillus subtilis (120 µg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1500 µg/mL), Penicillium sp. (62.25 µg/mL), Aspergillus flavus (250 µg/mL), Fusarium oxysporum (100 and 250 µg/mL), and Candida albicans (125 and 250 µg/mL). We report that emulsions prepared with MEL have high inhibitory activity, maintain the active concentration, and increase antioxidant capacity by 7.33% (Thymus vulgaris), 13.71% (Lippia sidoides), and 3.15% (Cymbopogon citratus).

Dietary polyphenols and their relationship to the modulation of non-communicable chronic diseases and epigenetic mechanisms: A mini-review.

Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have been considered a global health problem, characterized as diseases of multiple factors, which are developed throughout life, and regardless of genetics as a risk factor of important relevance, the increase in mortality attributed to the disease to environmental factors and the lifestyle one leads. Although the reactive species (ROS/RNS) are necessary for several physiological processes, their overproduction is directly related to the pathogenesis and aggravation of NCDs. In contrast, dietary polyphenols have been widely associated with minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition to their antioxidant power, polyphenols have also drawn attention for being able to modulate both gene expression and modify epigenetic alterations, suggesting an essential involvement in the prevention and/or development of some pathologies. Therefore, this review briefly explained the mechanisms in the development of some NCDs, followed by a summary of some evidence related to the interaction of polyphenols in oxidative stress, as well as the modulation of epigenetic mechanisms involved in the management of NCDs.

Structural properties and evaluation of the antiproliferative activity of limonene-1,2-diol obtained by the fungal biotransformation of R-(+)- and S-(-)-limonene.

Limonene-1,2-diol is a limonene oxygenated metabolite that possesses eight different stereoisomers, which could result in different biological properties. Nonetheless, the relation between its spatial configuration and biological function is still little explored. The present study aimed to perform the stereoisomers identification using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigation of the limonene-1,2-diol produced via R-(+)- and S-(-)-limonene biotransformation by Colletotrichum nymphaeae and S-(-)-limonene biotransformation by Fusarium oxysporum 152B. Besides, in vitro antiproliferative activity was evaluated against human tumor and nontumor cell lines. The NMR analysis showed that R-(+)-limonene biotransformation afforded exclusively (+)-(1S,2S,4R-limonene-1,2-diol), whereas S-(-)-limonene biotransformation afforded exclusively (-)-(1R,2R,4S-limonene-1,2-diol) independent on the fungi used. Despite no significant cytostatic effects, a possible influence of stereogenic center on the antiproliferative activity of these limonene biotransformation products was evidenced. Moreover, the lack of in vitro antiproliferative effect of limonene-1,2-diol against nontumor cells suggested a safe dose range for further in vivo evaluations, including food applications.

Characterization of Buritirana (Mauritiella armata) Fruits from the Brazilian Cerrado: Biometric and Physicochemical Attributes, Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential.

The buritirana is a little-explored species of the Arecaceae family. The biometric and physicochemical characteristics, nutritional and chemical composition and antioxidant and antibacterial potential of the buritirana fruit fractions were evaluated here for the first time. The fruits presented an oblong shape. The pulp represented 16.58% of the whole-fruit weight (10.07 g). The moisture, ash and soluble fiber contents were similar for the whole fraction without seed (WS) and pulp. Although the total carbohydrate content was the same for seed and peel (23.24 g·100 g-1), the seed showed higher protein and insoluble fiber contents. Except for glucose (1256.63 mg·100 g-1), the seed showed the highest concentrations of mono-, di- and oligosaccharides. Mineral content ranged from 0.43 to 800 mg·100 g-1 in all fractions. The peel fraction showed the highest content of vitamin C. The physicochemical results indicate the pulp and WS fraction have potential for the production of fruit-derived food products. Protocatechuic and quinic acids and epicatechin/catechin were found in all fractions. The assay antioxidant capacity DPPH, phenolic content and total flavonoids were higher in the pulp; TEAC and ORACHF values were lower in the seed. Volatile organic compounds were not identified, and the fractions did not show antibacterial activity.

Antidiabetic potential of dietary polyphenols: A mechanistic review.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that has caused enormous harm to the public health worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the potential of phenolic compounds on diabetes management, addressing their mechanisms of action, in addition to discussing the digestion, absorption, metabolism, bioavailability, and toxic effects of these compounds. The intake of phenolic compounds can play a fundamental role on diabetes management, since they can reduce blood glucose levels, oxidative stress, protein glycation, inhibit the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase - IV and other key enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism, activate various biochemical pathways to improve pancreatic ß-cell functions, increase insulin secretion, and improve insulin resistance. In this way, they can be considered a potential strategy in the development of pharmaceutical approaches that aim to reduce complications resulting from the progression of this metabolic pathology.

Underutilized plants of the Cactaceae family: Nutritional aspects and technological applications.

This review examines the nutritional and functional aspects of some representatives of the Cactaceae family, as well as its technological potential in the most diverse industrial fields. The studied species are good sources of nutrients and phytochemicals of biological interest, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids, betalains, phytosterols, tocopherols, etc. They also have shown great potential in preventing some diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cancer, and others. As to technological applications, the Cactaceae family can be explored in the production of food (e.g., cakes, yogurts, bread, ice cream, and juices), as natural dyes, sources of pectins, water treatment and in animal feed. In addition, they have great potential for many technological domains, including food chemistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, and many others.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity, fatty acid profile, and bioactive compounds from buritirana (Mauritiella armata Mart.) oil: A little-explored native Brazilian fruit.

Buritirana (Mauritiella armata Mart.) is a fruit species native to the Amazon and Cerrado region, belonging to the Arecaceae family. It has high nutritional and functional potential, yet little explored. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the overall yield, behavior of total carotenoids in the extraction kinetics, fatty acid profile, bioactive compounds, and the antioxidant capacity of the oil from buritirana fractions obtained by supercritical CO2. The highest extraction yield was found in the pulp and whole without seed at 60 °C (18.06 ± 0.40 and 14.55 ± 1.10 g 100 g-1 of the freeze-dried sample (fdw), respectively), and in the peel at 40 °C (8.31 ± 0.73 g 100 g-1 fdw). During the extraction kinetics, the pulp had the highest yields of oil (41.57%) and total carotenoids (8.34 mg g-1) after 61 min at 40 °C. The antioxidant potential, fatty acid profile, and α-tocopherol content were dependent on both fraction and temperature, with oleic acid being the main fatty acid. The oil from the whole fraction without seed had the largest number (20) of identified phenolic compounds. The extraction at 60 °C reduced the relative intensity of most compounds in the whole without seed and pulp. Moreover, it increased the intensity of the compounds in the peel. These results suggest that buritirana is a good oil source with great bioactive potential to produce new products with functional claims.

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.

Influence of high-intensity ultrasound on color, chemical composition and antioxidant properties of araçá-boi pulp.

In this study, we evaluated the influence of the ultrasound application on five levels of energy density (1000; 3000; 5000 and 7000 J g-1) compared to two pasteurization techniques (70 °C/5 min and 94 °C/0.5 min) on color parameters, polyphenoloxidase activity, chemical composition, and antioxidant properties of araçá-boi pulp. Ultrasound caused changes in the parameters brightness/darkness, hue angle, and total color difference, but did not change chroma, yellowness/blueness, color index, and yellow index. Moreover, this technique was efficient for inactivating polyphenoloxidase. Ultrasound at 7000 J g-1 was responsible for an increase in soluble solids (16%), vitamin C (46.5%), phenolics (15.65%), flavonoids (50%) and antioxidant capacity in relation to untreated pulp, while ultrasound at 5000 J g-1 increased the relative intensity of compounds of biological interest. Thus, ultrasound can be considered as a promising technique to maintain the shelf life, without drastically affecting the nutritional and functional qualities of this fruit.

Polyphenols and their applications: An approach in food chemistry and innovation potential.

Polyphenols are compounds naturally present in fruits and vegetables that are gaining more and more attention due to their therapeutic effects and their potential technological applications. In this review, we intend to demonstrate the importance of some phenolic compounds, addressing their biological effects and potential for applications in various industrial fields. The intake of these compounds in appropriate concentrations can present promising effects in the prevention of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and others. They can also be used to improve the physicochemical properties of starch, in the preservation of foods, as natural dyes, prebiotic ingredients, hydrogels and nanocomplexes. In addition, these compounds have potential for innovation in the most diverse technological fields, including organic fine chemistry, basic materials chemistry, pharmaceuticals, food chemistry, chemical engineering, etc.

Genipap (Genipa americana L.) fruit extract as a source of antioxidant and antiproliferative iridoids.

Iridoid blue-based pigments can be found in fruits of genipap (Genipa americana L.). Besides being a potential source of natural blue colorant in the food industry, they have also been associated with pharmacological effects. Therefore, the recovery of iridoids by ultrasound-assisted extraction from both unripe and ripe fruits was analysed by UPLC-DAD-ESI-(-)-QTOF-MS/MS. Nine iridoids were identified from their exact masses and fragmentation pattern, namely geniposidic acid, gardenoside, genipin-1-ß-gentiobioside, geniposide, 6''-O-p-coumaroyl-1-ß-gentiobioside geniposidic acid, 6''-O-p-coumaroylgenipin-gentiobioside, genipin, 6'-O-p-coumaroyl-geniposidic acid and 6'-O-feruloyl-geniposidic acid. Among them, genipin (60.77 mg/g fdw) was found to be the most abundant iridoid in unripe genipap extract, while the ripe genipap extract mainly contained geniposide and geniposidic acid (89.48 and 25.04 mg/g fdw, respectively). It was also observed that the iridoids of the unripe genipap extract are able to scavenger DPPH, ABTS and peroxyl radicals as well as exerting a cytostatic effect against both glioma and breast cancer cell lines. This study provided information about the properties of unripe and ripe genipap extracts which can be used as a reference for further studies focusing on the potential application of G. americana L. in commercial products containing natural blue colorant with functional claims.

Antioxidant, antiproliferative and healing properties of araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) peel and seed.

Araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) is a native fruit from Brazilian Cerrado widely used by folk medicine. Nevertheless, the biological effects of its seeds and peel have not been extensively evaluated. We evaluate herein the antioxidant, antiproliferative and healing potential of araticum peel and seeds extracts. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis showed flavonoids, namely epicatechin and quercetin, as the main compounds in peel and seeds extracts, respectively. These extracts showed high content of phenolic compounds (7254.46 and 97.74 µg/g extract) and, as consequence, high antioxidant capacity. Interesting, the seeds extract was more effective than peel extract against all tested cancer cells, especially on NCI-ADR/RES (multidrug resistant ovary adenocarcinoma) cell line. In the cell migration assay by using HaCaT (keratinocyte), the seeds extract induced migration, while the peel extract showed an inhibitory effect. In this way, phenolic content could be related to antioxidant capacity, but it was not related to antiproliferative and healing effect. The araticum seeds extract showed an interesting response to in vitro biological assay although of its low content of phenolic compounds. Unidentified compounds, such as alkaloids and annonaceous acetogenins could be related to it. Araticum has potential to be used as therapeutic plant especially as antiproliferative and healing drug.

Novel insights into prebiotic properties on human health: A review.

Dietary prebiotics can be metabolized by different colonic microorganisms and release several classes of metabolites, particularly SCFAs into the intestine lumen, influencing the host physiology. Thus, human microbiota has been the focus of one of the most dynamic research fields of our time and their efforts are directed to understand how prebiotics structures and the microbiota-derived metabolites acts on signaling cell pathways and epigenetic control. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview about the new concept of prebiotics and their mechanistic local and systemically insights related to the host health.