Nutritional and antioxidant profile of the Physalis fruit grown in three Andean regions of Peru.

Background: Physalis peruviana L. fruit contains nutritional and bioactive compounds of immense importance to public health and represents a potential ingredient for the development of functional foods and beverages. Objective: This study aimed to determine the chemical and nutritional composition as well as the antioxidant capacity of the P. peruviana L. fruit grown in Peru in three areas of the Central Andean region. Material and methods: Proximal and physicochemical analyses and estimation of mineral content, vitamin C, total carotenoids, total polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] and 2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) [ABTS] assays) were performed using standardized methods. Results: The fruits were collected from three regions of the Peruvian Andes (Ancash, Cajamarca, and Cusco). The results showed that the content of potassium (306.54-327.60 mg/100 g) and iron (12.93-14.47 mg/kg) was prominent. The Physalis fruit had high levels of vitamin C (47.20-52.20 mg/100 g), total polyphenols (68.17-83.40 mg equivalents of gallic acid/100 g), and carotenoids (1.12-1.73 mg ß-carotene/100 g). Higher values for antioxidant capacity were obtained with the ABTS method (896-1003.33 µmol Trolox/100 g) than with the DPPH method (290-309 µmol Trolox/100 g). Conclusions: This study confirms that the P. peruviana fruit has properties that could provide important health benefits and that it could be used for the development of functional foods and food supplement.

Efecto del extracto etanólico de Chuquiraga spinosa (huamanpinta) sobre el síndrome metabólico e hipercolesterolemia inducida en ratas / Effect of ethanol extract of Chuquiraga spinosa (huamanpinta) on the metabolic syndrome and hypercholesterolemia induced in rats

Objetivo: Determinar el efecto del extracto etanólico de Chuquiraga spinosa (huamanpinta) sobre el síndrome metabólico (SM) e hipercolesterolemia inducidas en ratas con fructosa y colesterol. Materiales y Métodos: Se indujo el SM con la administración vía oral de fructosa al 60% P/V durante 90 días y la inducción de hipercolesterolemia fue mediante la administración oral de solución de colesterol a una dosis diaria de 120 mg/kg suspendida en goma de tragacanto al 2%. Se formaron 06 grupos de 15 animales cada grupo, dividido en grupo blanco negativo (solución salina fisiológica) y positivo (fructosa más colesterol), extracto etanólico a dosis de 50, 250 y 500 mg/kg y un grupo atorvastatina más enalapril a 20 mg/kg (se administró fructosa más colesterol a todos los grupos). Los tratamientos respectivos se iniciaron en el día 31 posinducción y se continuó con la inducción coadministrando los tratamientos hasta los 90 días. Se determinó el perfil lipídico, glicemia y niveles de presión arterial. En la determinación de la toxicidad crónica se realizó la evaluación a nivel hematológico y bioquímico de todos los grupos que fueron inducidos y recibieron tratamiento. Resultados: Se obtuvo una disminución de los niveles de colesterol total, triglicéridos, glucosa, presión arterial y del peso corporal, así como una elevación de los niveles de HDL-colesterol, que fueron estadísticamente significativos (p<0,05). En la determinación de la toxicidad crónica se observo que no hubo toxicidad y no se evidenció alteraciones anatomopatológicas. Conclusiones: El extracto etanólico de Chuquiraga spinosa presenta efecto positivo sobre los niveles de perfil lipídico, glucosa y presión arterial inducido en ratas, sin efectos tóxicos.

Objective: To determine the effect of ethanolic extract of Chuquiraga spinosa (huamanpinta) on the metabolic syndrome and hypercholesterolemia in rats induced with fructose and cholesterol. Material and methods: SM was induced in rats with oral administration of 60% fructose for 90 days and the induction of hypercholesterolemia was by oral administration of cholesterol solution at a daily dose of 120 mg/kg suspended in gum tragacanth 2 %. Six groups of 15 animals were formed in each group, divided into negative white group (physiological saline solution) and positive (fructose plus cholesterol), ethanolic extract at doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg and one atorvastatin plus enalapril group at 20 mg/Kg. The respective treatments were initiated on day 31 postinduction and continued induction along with treatments up to 90 days. The lipid profile, glycemia and blood pressure levels were determined. In the determination of chronic toxicity, hematological and biochemical evaluation of all the groups that were induced and treated were performed. Results: There was a decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure and body weight, as well as a rise in HDL-cholesterol levels, which were statistically significant (p <0.05). In the determination of chronic toxicity, it was observed that there was no toxicity and no anatomopathological alterations were evidenced. Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of Chuquiraga spinosa has a positive effect on the metabolic syndrome and induced hypercholesterolemia in rats, without toxic effects.