Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) extract reverts glycaemic imbalance and cognitive impairment in an animal model of obesity.

The rates of overweight and obesity around the world have increased in past years. The body's adipose tissue stimulates the antioxidant and oxidation imbalance capacity at the cellular level. This scenario favors an inflammatory low-grade systemic condition starting with insulin resistance, which in turn may involve diabetes mellitus type 2 and cognitive decline afterward. Neurological diseases have been correlated to senile age diseases over time. This scenario calls for a change in the incidence of obesity in the younger generation. An unhealthy dietary consumption together with sedentary habits might lead to poor gut absorption of nutrients. Several plants and foods have bioactive compounds that can reduce or inhibit radical scavengers, reactive oxygen species, and metal ion complexes that threaten the cerebral defense system. The bitter acids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) have been demonstrated to have promising effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism improvement, reducing inflammatory responses through alpha acids, beta acids, and analogs action. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the bioactivity of hop bitter acids in obese and lean mice. For that, a dry hop extract (DHE) was obtained by applying carbon dioxide as the fluid of supercritical extraction. Afterward, seventy-eight male mice of the C57BL/6J strain were weighed and randomly distributed into six groups of 13 animals each according to the diet offered: (NO) normolipidic diet, (NO1) normolipidic diet containing 0.35% alpha acids, (NO2) normolipidic diet containing 3.5% alpha acids, (HP) hyperlipidic diet, (HP1) hyperlipidic diet containing 0.35% alpha acids, and (HP2) hyperlipidic diet containing 3.5% alpha acids. After applying the glycemic tolerance and insulin tolerance tests, a better stabilization of glycemia levels and weight gain among those animals fed with DHE (NO2 and HP2) were observed in comparison to the obese control group (HP) (p < 0.05). There was also an amelioration of antioxidant capacity observed by checking the enzymatic profile by SOD and an apparent mitigation of brain degeneration by checking GSK3ß and p-IRS1 proteins expression (p < 0.05). The y-maze cognitive test applied to highlight possible obesity-harmful animal brains did not indicate a statistical difference between the groups. Although the weekly dietary intake between the obese HP2 group (33.32 ± 4.11, p < 0.05) and control HP (42.3 ± 5.88, p < 0.05) was different. The bioactive compounds present in DHE have demonstrated relevant effects on glycemic control, insulin signaling, and the consequent modulatory action of the obesity-related markers with the brain's inflammatory progression.

Antiproliferative effects and main molecular mechanisms of Brazilian native fruits and their by-products on lung cancer.

Lung Cancer (LC) is an emergent disease widespread globally. Compared to other types of cancer, LC has one of the lowest survival rates (18%). As some risk factors associated with the development of lung carcinogenesis are still unavoidable, researchers have been trying to find efficient and safe alternatives that can help prevent LC or even attenuate its rapid evolution after diagnosis. Studies with natural products promise to offer biological effects against several types of cancers, including LC. The uncountable types of plant matrices dispersed in nature, or even their extracts, contain a powerful composition of bioactive compounds with promising biological effects on LC. The biomes in Brazil are examples of regions with a great biodiversity of bioactive compounds-rich fruits. Therefore, this review aimed to present the potential anticancer effect of Brazilian native fruits, their fractions, and by-products on LC through the elucidation of the main molecular mechanisms involved. The Brazilian plant matrices discussed here (açaí, achiote, araticum, camu camu, cocoa, jaboticaba, genipap, guarana, and pequi) showed promising evidence by inducing cellular apoptosis, reducing cancer cell viability and tumor growth, and regulating cell cycle.

Brazilian tucumã-do-Amazonas (Astrocaryum aculeatum) and tucumã-do-Pará (Astrocaryum vulgare) fruits: bioactive composition, health benefits, and technological potential.

Latin America has a wide range of native plants spread through its territory. The palms of the Astrocaryum genus are examples of crops occurring in Central and South America, including the large plant life in Brazil. Although not very well known, the Astrocaryum spp. possess edible and non-edible fractions with potential technological and medicinal uses, as evidenced by recent research. Two native Brazilian fruits, tucumã-do-Amazonas (Astrocaryum aculeatum) and tucumã-do-Pará (Astrocaryum vulgare), typically found in the north and northeast of the country, respectively, stand out for their high antioxidant capacity and rich content in bioactive compounds, mainly carotenoids and phenolic compounds. Accordingly, experimental studies indicate their potential to prevent and treat inflammatory and oxidative stress-related conditions, including cancer. The tucumã plants have also been suggested as tools in the industry, for example for biofuel production, activated carbon technology, and as alternative packaging. Considering the importance of bringing light to underestimated yet culturally relevant native crops with potential benefits for small and large communities, this review aims to present and discuss the characteristics, bioactive composition, health effects, and technological potential of tucumã-do-Amazonas and tucumã-do-Pará fruits.