Obesity is considered an important risk factor for several disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis, which are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress as a trigger factor. Passiflora edulis contains important bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, carotenoids, vitamin C, and polyamines in pulp, leaves, seeds, and bark. Aim: To evaluate the effect of bark of Passiflora edulis (BPe) on body composition, and metabolic and oxidative stress parameters in genetically obese mice. Methods: Obese male db/db mice (n = 14 animals) received normal feeds and water ad libitum for 8 weeks. Then, animals were randomly divided to continue either receiving standard chow (obese, n = 7 (OB)) or feed with standard chow plus bark Passiflora edulis (BPe) (obese + BPe, n = 7 (OB + BPe)) for 8 more weeks, totaling 16 weeks. BPe was added to chow (7 g of BPe/kg of chow corresponding to 1.5 g/kg of body weight). The parameters evaluated in animals included food and caloric intake, body weight, body fat, plasma glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. Malondialdehyde and antioxidant capacity were evaluated in plasma and organs. Groups were compared by Student t-test, with p < 0.05. Results: BPe reduced visceral and subcutaneous fat deposit and adiposity index, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, ameliorated the antioxidant capacity, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Conclusion: the bark of Passiflora edulis was effective in improving body composition, and metabolic and antioxidant parameters in obese mice.

The kidney is an important organ in the maintenance of body homeostasis. Dietary compounds, reactive metabolites, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) can affect renal filtration and whole body homeostasis, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) development. Gamma oryzanol (γOz) is a compound with antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity that has shown a positive action in the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases. Aim. To evaluate the effect of γOz to recover renal function in obese animals by high sugar‐fat diet by modulation of adiponectin receptor 2/PPAR‐α axis Methods. Male Wistar rats were initially randomly divided into 2 experimental groups: control and high sugar‐fat diet (HSF) for 20 weeks. When proteinuria was detected, HSF animals were allocated to receive γOz or maintain HSF for more than 10 weeks. The following were analyzed: nutritional and biochemical parameters, systolic blood pressure, and renal function. In the kidney, the following were evaluated: inflammation, oxidative stress, and protein expression by Western blot. Results. After 10 weeks of γOz treatment, γOz was effective to improve inflammation, increase antioxidant enzyme activities, increase the protein expression of adiponectin receptor 2 and PPAR‐α, and recover renal function. Conclusion. These results permit us to confirm that γOz is able to modulate PPAR‐α expression, inflammation, and oxidative stress pathways improving obesity‐induced renal disease.

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a native Andean plant rich in phenolic compounds, and its effects on dysmetabolism and cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats was evaluated. The rats (10/group) were allocated as follows: C, controls; C + Y, controls treated with Yacon leaf extract (YLE); DM, diabetic controls; and DM + Y, diabetic rats treated with YLE. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg⁻¹/kg body weight, single dose, i.p.), and treated groups received 100 mg/kg body weight YLE daily via gavage for 30 d. The YLE group shows an improvement in dysmetabolism and cardiomyopathy in the diabetic condition (DM versus DM + Y) promoting a significant reduction of glycemia by 63.39%, an increase in insulin concentration by 49.30%, and a decrease in serum triacylglycerol and fatty acid contents by 0.39‐ and 0.43‐fold, respectively, by ameliorating the pancreatic islet injury, as well as increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) and decreasing the fibrosis and cellular disorganization in cardiac tissue. The apparent benefits of YLE seem to be mediated by ameliorating dysmetabolism and oxidative stress in pancreatic and cardiac tissues.

Solanum paniculatum L. or popularly known as “jurubeba” is an herbal medicinal plant. A few studies have investigated its biological effects; however, research aimed at elucidating the redox balance effects from its fruits has not been reported so far. ROS interplays in various fields of medicine such as chemotherapy. Here, we evaluated antioxidant and inflammatory activities of the hydroethanolic extract of Solanum Paniculatum L. (HESPL) fruits in breast cancer cells, as well as its phytochemical profile. The antioxidant profile (carotenoids and phenolic compounds) was obtained by HPLC-DAD-UV and HPLC-APCI-MS. Cancer cell lines and human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultivated and treated with 1.87-30 μg/mL of HESPL for 24 hrs. Cytotoxicity, oxidative, and inflammation biomarkers were evaluated. The dose of 30 μg/mL of the HESPL extract presented cytotoxicity in the MCF-7 cell line. However, for MDA-MB-231, the cytotoxicity was observed in the dose of 1.87 g/mL. The 1.87 μg/mL and 3.75 μg/mL doses decreased the concentration of IL-6 in MCF-7 cells. In the MDA-MB-231 cells, the HESPL did not decrease the IL-6 concentration; however, in the doses of 15 and 30 μg/mL, an increase in this parameter was observed. The HESPL increased IL-1β concentration in HUVECs. The ROS level in MCF-7 was elevated only at the 30 μg/ml dose. Regarding MDA-MB-231, HESPL promoted increased ROS levels at all doses tested. HUVEC showed no increase in ROS under any dose. HESPL treatment may modulate cytotoxicity, ROS, and cytokine levels due to its phytochemical profile, and it has shown an antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effect.

Introdução: a obesidade é considerada um importante fator de risco para vários distúrbios, como diabetes mellitus, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, dislipidemia, aterosclerose, que estão associados à inflamação e ao estresse oxidativo como fator desencadeante. Passiflora edulis contém importantes compostos bioativos, como fenólicos, carotenóides, vitamina C e poliaminas na polpa, folhas, sementes e casca. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do tratamento com Passiflora edulis (BPe) sobre a composição corporal e os parâmetros metabólicos e de estresse oxidativo em camundongos geneticamente obesos. Metodologia: os camundongos db/db machos obesos (n = 14 animais) receberam alimentação normal e água ad libitum durante 8 semanas. em seguida, os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente para continuar recebendo ração padrão (obeso, n = 7 (OB)) ou ração padrão com casca Passiflora edulis (BPe) (obeso + BPe, n = 7 (OB + BPe)) por mais 8 semanas, totalizando 16 semanas. o acrescimo de casca de Passiflora foi na dose de 7 g de casca Passiflora edulis /kg de ração, correspondente a 1,5g /kg de peso corporal) .Os parâmetros avaliados nos animais incluíram consumo alimentar, peso corporal, gordura corporal e glicose, triglicerídeos e colesterol total plasmáticos. o malondialdeído (MDA) e a capacidade antioxidante foram avaliados em plasma e órgãos e os grupos foram comparados pelo teste T-Student, com p < 0,05. Resultados: a casca de Passiflora edulis reduziu o depósito de gordura visceral e subcutânea e os índices de adiposidade, colesterol e triglicerídeos, melhorando a capacidade antioxidante e reduzindo os níveis de MDA. Conclusão: a casca de Passiflora edulis foi eficaz para melhorar a composição corporal, parâmetros metabólicos e antioxidantes em camundongos obesos.