Physicochemical Properties and Effects of Fruit Pulps from the Amazon Biome on Physiological Parameters in Rats.

This study aimed to analyze the physicochemical characteristics and the effects of Amazonian pulp fruits consumption, such as araçá-boi (Eugenia stipitata), abiu grande (Pouteria caimito), araticum (Annona crassiflora), biri-biri (Averrhoa bilimbi L.), and yellow mangosteen (Garcinia xanthochymus), on hematologic, metabolic, renal, and hepatic function parameters in Wistar rats (n = 10 rats/group). The pulp of abiu had the highest levels of soluble solids, sugars, and pH. Biri-biri pulp had the highest levels of ascorbic acid and total titratable acidity, and a low pH. The araticum pulp had higher (p ≤ 0.05) ash content, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity than the pulp of other analyzed fruits. No significant increase in hematocrit, nor reduction of blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, and serum levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (TGP), creatinine, and urea was observed in experimental groups relative to the control group of rats after the consumption of fruits pulp. The intake of abiu and araticum pulps promoted a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in total leukocytes of the experimental groups as compared to the control group and only the intake of araticum significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) triglyceride blood levels in rats (99.50 mg/dL). The regular consumption of biri-biri pulp for 30 days significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (TGO) levels in rats (116.83 U/L) compared to the control group (98.00 U/L). More researches are needed to generate knowledge about these promising Amazonian fruits, supporting the native fruit production, in addition to promoting health in the population and sustainability in the Amazon region.

Pouteria torta: a native species of the Brazilian Cerrado as a bioindicator of glyphosate action.

In Brazil, the expansion of agricultural activity and the associated indiscriminate use of herbicides such as glyphosate is directly related to the loss of biodiversity in the Cerrado. The identification of plant species as bioindicators of herbicide action, especially species native to the area, can help in monitoring the impacts of xenobiotics in the remaining Cerrado. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the possible use of the native Cerrado species Pouteria torta as a bioindicator of glyphosate action via changes in physiological performance. At 16 months after sowing, the effect of glyphosate was evaluated by applying the following doses: 0 (control), 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1200 g a.e. ha-1. In response to glyphosate, P. torta exhibited reductions in photosynthesis and chloroplastid pigment content, as well as accumulation of shikimic acid and the occurrence of chlorosis and necrosis. These changes demonstrate the high sensitivity of P. torta to glyphosate and its potential for use as a bioindicator of this herbicide.

Characterization of main primary and secondary metabolites and in vitro antioxidant and antihyperglycemic properties in the mesocarp of three biotypes of Pouteria lucuma.

Pouteria lucuma is an Andean fruit from pre-Incas' times highly appreciated due to its characteristic flavor and taste in its homeland. We characterized the primary (e.g., sugars and organic acids), and secondary (e.g., phenolics and carotenoids) and in vitro antioxidant and antihyperglycemic properties of Rosalia, Montero and Leiva 1 lucuma biotypes. Significant differences were found in these metabolites and functional properties related to biotype and ripeness stage. Results showed significant amounts of sugars (119.4-344 mg total sugars g(-1)DW) and organic acids (44.4-30.0 mg g(-1)DW) and functional associated compounds such as ascorbic acid (0.35-1.07 mg g(-1)DW), total phenolics (0.7-61.6 mg GAE g(-1)DW) and total carotenoids (0.22-0.50 mg ß-carotene g(-1)DW). Important in vitro antioxidant and antihyperglycemic properties were found and provide the base for the standardization of lucuma harvest and postharvest focused not only on the enhancement of sensory but functional properties.

Estudo do potencial antimicrobiano e citotóxico da espécie Pouteria venosa (Sapotaceae) / Study of antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of Pouteria venosa species (Sapotaceae)

RESUMO Estudo experimental in vitro que objetivou investigar o potencial antimicrobiano e citotóxico de quatro frações e um extrato etanólico da espécie Pouteria venosa usada como planta medicinal. A atividade antimicrobiana foi determinada pelos testes de sensibilidade microbiana, como o método de difusão em disco e o método da microdiluição em caldo, para a determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM). Obteve-se a avaliação da citotoxicidade por meio do método colorimétrico do Metiltetrazolium. No estudo da atividade antimicrobiana, os principais resultados foram obtidos contra Staphylococus aureus para a fração AcOEt das cascas do caule, CIM de 125 µg/mL; Streptococcus pneumoniae e Proteus mirabilis para a fração AcOEt das cascas do caule, CIMde250 µg/mL; Staphylococus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa para a fração AcOEt das folhas e cascas do caule, CIM de 250 µg/mL. Todas as amostras foram inativas para os fungos testados. A fração AcOEt das cascas do caule foi considerada atóxica, podendo ser utilizada em testes pré-clínicos in vivo

ABSTRACT Study of antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of Pouteria venosa species (Sapotaceae). This experimental in vitro study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of four fractions and one ethanolic extract of the specie Pouteria venosa used as a medicinal plant. The antimicrobial activity was determined by microbial sensitivity tests, as the method of disk diffusion and the broth microdilution method for determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The evaluation of the cytotoxicity was obtained by the Metiltetrazolium colorimetric method. In the antimicrobial activity research, the main results were obtained against the Staphylococcus aureus for the AcOEt fraction of the stem bark MIC 125 µg/mL, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis for the AcOEt fraction from the stem bark, CIM 250 µg/mL, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the AcOEt fraction of the leaves and stem bark, MIC 250 µg/mL. All samples did not react for the fungi tested. The AcOEt fraction of the stem bark was considered non-toxic and can be used at in vivo pre-clinical testing

Cytotoxic effect of Pouteria torta leaf extracts on human oral and breast carcinomas cell lines.

AIMS: This study aimed at investigating the cytotoxic activity and the type of cell death induced by Pouteria torta (P. torta) leaf extracts on human oral squamous cell carcinoma and breast carcinoma cell lines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effects of P. torta leaf hexanic (PTH), ethanolic (PTE) and aqueous (PTA) extracts at the concentration of 500 mg/mL were evaluated on OSCC-3 and MCF-7 cell lines, using crystal violet staining after 24 and 48 h of treatment. To obtain the dose-response curve, cells were treated with decreasing concentrations of the extracts (1000, 750, 500, 250, 125 mg/mL) for 24 h. To investigate the mechanism of cell death (apoptosis vs. necrosis), DNA fragmentation assay was performed. RESULTS: All extracts were cytotoxic to both OSCC-3 and MCF-7, albeit at differing levels. PTH and PTE were effective at the concentration of 500 µg/mL, resulting in nearly 50% of cell death in both cancer cell lines. PTA was more effective at lower concentrations, with more significant cell death at 125 g/mL. Treatment with PTA and PTE caused apoptosis in MCF-7, whereas in OSCC-3 cells, the same effect could only be caused by PTH. On the other hand, PTA was able to induce necrosis in OSCC-3. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated that P. torta leaf extracts may contain useful compounds to combat oral and breast cancer, and this study highlights the potential biological relevance of the Brazilian Cerrado Biome in cancer therapy.