The main physiological consequence of diabetes mellitus is chronic hyperglycemia. This condition is related to the formation of free radicals including advanced glycation end products (AGES) and to an increase in inflammatory processes. Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) Pilg., part of the Bixaceae family, is a cerrado plant known for its anti-inflammatory effects. The objectives of this study were to analyze the constituent compounds of C. regium roots and to evaluate the antioxidant, antiglycation, antidiabetic, and anticholinergic effects of its hydromethanolic extract through in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The presence of phenols, flavonoids, condensed tannins, and flavonols was analyzed by liquid chromatography - photodiode array (LC/PDA) analysis. Whereas antioxidant activity was investigated via DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene/linoleic acid, and malondialdehyde colorimetric assays. Inhibition of AGEs was examined via a bovine serum albumin system whose glycosylating agent was glucose. Antidiabetic potential was examined in normoglycemic Wistar rats that received glucose overload, in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and in rats that received a hyperglycemic diet. Disaccharidase inhibition was assessed using in vitro and in vivo methods, as was acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition in brain structures. The hydromethanolic extract (CRHE) possessed a high concentration of phenolic compounds and showed antioxidant effects. The LC-DAD results revealed that CRHE contained a high concentration of phenolic acids and the majority was gallic acid. Treatment with CRHE caused significant inhibition of AGE formation. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normoglycemic animals showed a reduction in blood glucose levels after treatment with 100 mg/kg CHRE, accompanied by an increase in hepatic glycogen content. There was also a significant reduction in the fasting glucose levels of alloxan-induced diabetic animals after 7 days of treatment with daily doses of 100 mg/kg. After 14 weeks of hyperglycemic diet, the last four or which were combined with 100 mg/kg CRHE treatment, there was a decrease in blood triglyceride levels. There was also a statistically significant decrease in the enzymatic activity of maltase, lactase and sucrase. The results demonstrate that oral administration of 30 and 100 mg/kg CRHE inhibited AChE activity in different brain structures. Thus, the extract of C. regium showed promising antioxidant, antiglycation, and antidiabetic effects that may be related to its high phenolic content.

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vogel) is recognized as a widespread Brazilian tree species, and its almonds and pulp have gained commercial prominence due to their nutritional value. All parts of the baru are important for the environment and are used by traditional communities to treat various diseases. This review provides a comprehensive and current overview of the nutritional composition, human food applications, ethnopharmacological uses, and chemical and biological properties of Dipteryx alata, “baru” (Fabaceae). This study followed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Studies were searched in the Medline (PubMed), Scopus, SciELO, and ScienceDirect databases using the descriptors “Dipteryx alata” OR “baru nut” OR “baru almond” OR “cumaru” OR “Coumarouna”. The exclusion criteria included duplicate articles, review articles, case reports, short communications, conference documents, incomplete access to the text, and articles not related to the objective of this review. The initial search yielded 822 results, 127 of which met the inclusion criteria. The almond was the most extensively studied part (59.8%), whereas leaves received the least attention (1.6%). Baru almond is a rich source of proteins (19 to 30 g.100 g^-1), unsaturated fatty acids (75 to 81%), and essential amino acids, while the pulp is rich in carbohydrates (22.5 to 75.4%), dietary fiber (4.4 to 41.6 g.100 g^-1) and vitamin C (113.48 and 224.5 mg.100 g^-1). Phenolic compounds were the main metabolites, with a greater content in the almond (3.1 to 1.306,34 mg GAE g^-1) than in the pulp (186 to 477 mg GAE g^-1). Terpenes were also detected in the almond, pulp, and bark. The most evaluated biological activity was the antioxidant activity (n = 32.1%), followed by effects on oxidative stress (n = 12.5%). Therefore, emphasis on baru cultivation and bioprospecting could benefit human nutrition and health, strengthen family farming in various regions of the country and favour the achievement of Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture and Health and Well-Being in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

Bidens gardneri Baker, popularly known as "picão-vermelho", has been used, traditionally, as a medicinal plant for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate antidiabetic effect of leaves from B. gardneri aqueous extract (BGAE). We also evaluated in vitro anti-glycation potential. Chemical composition was analyzed based on a colorimetrics and HPLC methods. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), was performed in rats with different doses (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg). Alloxan-induced diabetic and hypercaloric diet-fed rats were treated with 300 mg/kg of BGAE, orally, for 10 days and then 10 weeks, respectively. The activity of intestinal disaccharidases (maltase, sucrase and lactase) and quantification of muscle and liver glycogen content were also evaluated. On chemical analysis, the extract showed high phenolics content and the chromatogram showed 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid as the major component. The extract presented inhibition in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and disaccharidases activity. In OGTT the dose of 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the blood glucose. In diabetic animals, BGAE significantly decreased blood glucose levels, preventing weight loss. In addition, in hypercaloric diet-fed rats, the extract prevented hyperglycemia. Our results suggest that, aqueous extract of B. gardneri has a potential for therapeutic intervention of diabetes.

Research background. The extensive cultivation of bananas (Musa sp.) is related to producing tons of residues, such as leaves, pseudostems and bracts (inflorescences). The banana bract is a commercially interesting residue due to its dietary fibre content and high antioxidant potential. With this in mind, this study evaluates the effects of administering banana bract flour in animal models fed a cafeteria diet. Experimental approach. Thirty-two male rats were divided into 4 groups: (i) control diet, (ii) control diet with 10 % banana bract flour, (iii) hypercaloric diet, and (iv) hypercaloric diet with 10 % bract banana flour. The study was conducted for 12 weeks and included analysis of phenolic compounds, assessment of the antioxidant effect of banana bract flour, determination of serum biochemical parameters (glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), amylase albumin, uric acid, creatine, total protein, and oral glucose), determination of faecal fat content, and histomorphological analysis of the liver, pancreas and adipose tissue. In addition, molecular parameters such as IL6, total and phosphorylated JNK, total and phosphorylated IKKβ, TNFα, TLR4 and HSP70 were determined. Results and conclusions. The banana bract flour showed a high content of phenolic compounds and an antioxidant effect. The in vivo results suggest that the supplementation of a hypercaloric diet with banana bract flour prevented pathological damage by reducing total cholesterol and glucose amounts, which may imply a hepatoprotective effect of this supplement. Thus, using banana bract flour as a supplement can increase the consumption of fibre, antioxidants and bioactive compounds. Novelty and scientific contribution. The development of flour from banana waste and its inclusion in the diet can prevent and/or help treat obesity. In addition, the use of banana bracts can help protect the environment, as they are considered a source of waste by the food industry.