Plants represent the main source of molecules for the development of new drugs, which intensifies the interest of transnational industries in searching for substances obtained from plant sources, especially since the vast majority of species have not yet been studied chemically or biologically, particularly concerning anti-inflammatory action. Anti-inflammatory drugs can interfere in the pathophysiological process of inflammation, to minimize tissue damage and provide greater comfort to the patient. Therefore, it is important to note that due to the existence of a large number of species available for research, the successful development of new naturally occurring anti-inflammatory drugs depends mainly on a multidisciplinary effort to find new molecules. Although many review articles have been published in this regard, the majority presented the subject from a limited regional perspective. Thus, the current article presents highlights from the published literature on plants as sources of anti-inflammatory agents.

This study identified two phenolic compounds in Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi fruits: naringenin (first report in this species) and gallic acid. Their structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data (¹H-, ¹³C-NMR) and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. A high content of phenolics (659.21 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample—Folin-Ciocalteau method) and total flavonoids (140.69 mg of rutin equivalents/g of sample—aluminum chloride method) were quantified in S. terebinthifolius, as well as high antioxidant activity (77.47%—2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH method). The antihypertensive activity related to its phenolic content was investigated. After intravenous infusion in Wistar rats, these phenolics significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the systolic, median, and diastolic arterial pressures of individuals. The rotarod test was performed to determine the mechanism of action of the sample vasorelaxant effect. It was found that its action exceeded that of the positive control used (diazepam). This confirmed the vasodilatory activity exerted by S. terebinthifolius fruits is related to the phenolic compounds present in the plant, which are potent antioxidants and inhibit oxidative stress, mainly in the central nervous system.

The objective of this work was to determine the total carotenoids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity of 'UENF SD 08' (super-sweet corn) and to compare them with those of 'UENF50611' (field corn). The total carotenoid content was determined according to Rodriguez-Amaya, the total phenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteau method, and the antioxidant activity by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging method. For 'UENF SD 08', the average values were: 936.76±16.34 µg 100 g−1 for carotenoids, 346.0±3.80 mg 100 g−1 for phenolics, and 45.53±0.01% for antioxidant activity. For UENF50611, the average values were: 1,173.38±21.66 µg 100 g−1 for carotenoids, 563.33±7.97 mg 100 g−1 for phenolics, and 59.82±0.11% for antioxidant activity. UENF50611 showed a higher antioxidant activity observed due to its higher levels of carotenoids and phenolic compounds; however, the values observed for the 'UENF SD 08' super-sweet corn are within the ranges already described in the literature. 'UENF SD 08' contains a lower concentration of carotenoids and phenolic compounds than 'UENF50611', its nonmutant genetic background. However, the super-sweet corn 'UENF SD 08' has agronomic advantages, is considered a source of the evaluated secondary metabolites, and its consumption can contribute to a diet with a higher content of antioxidants.

Although ∼12% of infants in the United States are fed soy protein-based infant formulas (SF), data on the long-term health effects compared with cow's milk-based infant formulas (MF) and human milk (HM) remain limited. This study aims to assess whether SF feeding during infancy influences adolescent growth, adiposity, dietary intake, metabolic health, or pubertal development compared with MF or HM feeding during infancy. In the Beginnings follow-up study, 190 participants (SF = 52, HM = 76, MF = 62) were assessed at age 14 y for anthropometry, body composition, dietary intake, cardiometabolic biomarkers, pubertal stage, and reproductive organ volumes and characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed using R (version 4.4.2), and included generalized linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, mother's education, and birth characteristics. At 14.10 ± 0.26 (13.47-14.96) y, adjusted models showed that adolescents who were fed SF as infants had similar body weight, BMI-for-age z-score, fat mass index, abdominal adiposity (visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue areas), and waist circumference compared with participants fed MF and HM as infants. Energy intake, macronutrient intakes, and diet quality (Healthy Eating Index-2020) were comparable across groups, except for a lower fat intake (%kcal) for participants fed SF and HM as infants compared with MF. There were no significant differences between the groups in blood pressure, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, inflammatory biomarkers, pubertal stage, age of menarche and reproductive organ sizes and characteristics at age 14 y. The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors was significantly higher in participants who were fed MF (8.1%) compared with SF (3.8%) and HM (0.0%) as infants. SF feeding during infancy was associated with similar growth, body composition, cardiometabolic health and puberty outcomes at age 14 y as MF and HM feeding. In adjusted models, HM feeding was protective against adolescent adiposity compared with MF feeding. This study was registered at www. gov as NCT03108014.