Euterpe Oleracea Mart. (Açaí) Reduces Oxidative Stress and Improves Energetic Metabolism in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats / Euterpe Oleracea Mart. (Açaí) Reduz o Estresse Oxidativo e Melhora o Metabolismo Energético da Lesão de Isquemia-Reperfusão Miocárdica Em Ratos

Abstract Background: Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) is a fruit with high antioxidant capacity and could be an adjuvant strategy to attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury. Objective: To evaluate the influence of açaí in global ischemia-reperfusion model in rats. Methods: Wistar rats were assigned to 2 groups: Control (C: receiving standard chow; n = 9) and Açaí (A: receiving standard chow supplemented with 5% açaí; n = 10). After six weeks, the animals were subjected to the global ischemia-reperfusion protocol and an isolated heart study to evaluate left ventricular function. Level of significance adopted: 5%. Results: There was no difference between the groups in initial body weight, final body weight and daily feed intake. Group A presented lower lipid hydroperoxide myocardial concentration and higher catalase activity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase than group C. We also observed increased myocardial activity of b-hydroxyacyl coenzyme-A dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, complex I, complex II and ATP synthase in the A group as well as lower activity of the lactate dehydrogenase and phosphofructokinase enzymes. The systolic function was similar between the groups, and the A group presented poorer diastolic function than the C group. We did not observe any difference between the groups in relation to myocardial infarction area, total and phosphorylated NF-kB, total and acetylated FOXO1, SIRT1 and Nrf-2 protein expression. Conclusion: despite improving energy metabolism and attenuating oxidative stress, açai supplementation did not decrease the infarcted area or improve left ventricular function in the global ischemia-reperfusion model.

Resumo Fundamento: Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) é uma fruta com alta capacidade antioxidante e pode ser uma estratégia adjuvante para atenuar a lesão de isquemia-reperfusão. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do açaí no modelo global de isquemia-reperfusão em ratos. Metodologia: Ratos Wistar foram divididos em 2 grupos: Controle (C: recebendo ração padrão; n = 9) e Açaí (A: recebendo ração padrão suplementada com 5% de açaí; n = 10). Após seis semanas, os animais foram submetidos ao protocolo global de isquemia-reperfusão e a estudo do coração isolado para avaliar a função ventricular esquerda. Nível de significância adotado: 5%. Resultados: Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto ao peso corporal inicial e final, e a ingestão diária de ração. O grupo A apresentou menor concentração miocárdica de hidroperóxido lipídico e maior atividade de catalase, superóxido dismutase e glutationa peroxidase do que o grupo C. Também observamos aumento da atividade miocárdica da b-hidroxiacil coenzima-A desidrogenase, piruvato desidrogenase, citrato sintase, complexo I, complexo II e ATP sintase no grupo A, bem como menor atividade das enzimas lactato desidrogenase e fosfofructoquinase. A função sistólica foi semelhante entre os grupos, e o grupo A apresentou função diastólica pior que C. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos em relação à área de infarto do miocárdio, e expressão proteica de NF-kB total e fosforilado, e das proteínas FOXO1, SIRT1 e Nrf-2. Conclusão: apesar de melhorar o metabolismo energético e atenuar o estresse oxidativo, a suplementação de açaí não diminuiu a área infartada nem melhorou a função ventricular esquerda no modelo global de isquemia-reperfusão.

Oral Administration of Euterpe oleracea Mart., Its Influence over Body Weight and Lymphoid Organs and Alterations in Haematological and Glycaemical Parameters.

Aims: The aims of the study were to evaluate alterations caused by the oral administration of the aqueous extract of Euterpe oleracea to non-isogenic adult male mice during 15 and 30 consecutive days through the comparison of body and spleen weights, number of splenic and medullary cells, their hemogram and glycemia indices. Study Design: Animals were divided into 8 groups (5 animals/group). Treated groups received the AEA concentration (125 mg/ml by gavage) at doses of 5, 50 and 500 mg/kg for 15 and 30 days. The control group received only the vehicle of dilution (1x PBS) in volume of 0.5 ml. After treatment the animals were sacrificed in a CO2 chamber for testing. Place and Duration of Study/Methodology: The aqueous extract of concentration of 125 mg/ml of lyophilized açaí pulp was prepared in Laboratory of General and Analytical Chemistry of Federal University of Amapá. Values of body weight, weight of liver and spleen, number of spleen and bone marrow cells, blood count and glucose of the mice were conducted on Drugs Research Laboratory between January and November of 2013. Results: The statistical analysis was done by ANOVA test two-way with significance level p<0.05 in relation to control followed by Tukey post-test. The AEA caused significant changes in body weight, about 22% in animals treated with 500mg/kg. Weight of spleen showed no significant changes, there was statistical difference in blood glucose levels between groups 5 and 500 mg/kg treated for 15 days and punctually in the 500 mg/kg group treated for 15 and 30 days. It was observed that the treatment with the AEA doses (5, 50 and 500 mg/kg) for 30 days increased the number of bone marrow cells. Regarding the number of spleen cells, treatment promoted changes, reducing the amount of cells during the 30 days of treatment, principally at the dose of 50 mg/kg. During the 15 day treatment of 500 mg/kg there was an increase in the number of spleen cells. Conclusion: The treatment of mice with aqueous extract of açaí pointed that the concentration has significant influence in: 1) glucose concentration in the blood; 2) The increased number of bone marrow cells; 3) and the number of spleen cells. Thus, comparison between groups of animals was compatible with the hypothesis that the increase in body mass is a risk factor for insulin resistance.

Análise da citotoxicidade do extrato do fruto de juçara (Euterpe oleracea Mart) do Maranhão em células malignas humanas / Analysis of cytotoxicity of fruit extract juçara (euterpe oleracea mart) of Maranhão in human malignant cells

A juçara, Euterpe oleracea Mart., fruta indígena da Amazônia Legal, é rica em fitoquímicos com atividades anti-oxidante, antiinflamatória e anti-câncer. Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar os efeitos do extrato hidroalcoólico da casca, caroço e fruto total da juçara em diferentes linhagens de células malignas humana. Os frutos foram coletados no Parque da Juçara, localizado no Maracanã, município de São Luís, seguida da confecção da excicata que se mantém registrada no Herbário Rosa Mochel do Núcleo de Estudos Biológicos da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Os extratos hidroalcoólicos da casca, caroço e fruto total foram extraidos no Laboratório de Farmacologia e Psicobiologia da UERJ. As linhagens celulares utilizadas nos ensaios foram MCF-7 (adenocarcinoma de mama), CACO-2 e HT-20 (adenocarcinoma colo retal) e adenocarcinoma na mama (MDA-MB-468). As linhagens foram tratadas com 10, 20 e 40µg/mL dos extratos por 24 e 48 horas e feitas às análises. Células MCF-7 controle apresentaram núcleo proeminente com nucléolos evidentes. Após tratamento com o extrato hidroalcoólico da casca da juçara, as células mostraram morfologia arredondada com retração do citoplasma. O ensaio de viabilidade com MTT ((3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)) demonstrou uma redução na viabilidade das células. Após 48 horas, o tratamento das células com 20µg/mL do extrato da casca reduziu a viabilidade sendo que o efeito citotóxico do tratamento com 40µg/mL do extrato da casca foi potencializado. Células tratadas com 10µg/mL do extrato do caroço de juçara apresentavam-se arredondadas com consequente redução no volume celular. A concentração 20µg/mL de extrato hidroalcoólico do caroço, causou severa redução no volume das células e ocasionou o surgimento de vacúolos intracelulares. O mesmo foi observado após tratamento com 40µg/mL. O tratamento com 40µg/mL do extrato hidroalcoólico do fruto total, modificou drasticamente a morfologia das células MCF-7...

Juçara, Euterpe oleracea Mart., an indigenous fruit from Amazon, is rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. This study aims to analyze the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the bark, seed and total fruit of juçara in different human malignant cell lines. Fruits were collected at the Maracana Ecological Park, in São Luís, followed by excicata manufacturing that remains registered in the Herbarium Rosa Mochel from the Nucleus of Biological Studies at the State University of Maranhão. The hydroalcoholic extracts of bark, seed and fruit were all obtained in the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Psychobiology UERJ. The cell lines used in the tests were MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 (breast adenocarcinoma) and CACO-2 and HT-20 (colorectal adenocarcinoma). Strains were treated with 10, 20 and 40μg/mL of extracts for 24 and 48 hours. Control MCF-7 cells showed prominent nucleus with evident nucleoli. After treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract from the bark of juçara, the cells showed rounded morphology with retraction of the cytoplasm. The MTT viability assay showed a reduction in cell viability. After 48 hours, treatment of cells with 20μg/mL of bark extract reduced cell viability and the cytotoxic effect of treatment with 40μg/mL extract of the bark was potentiated. Cells treated with 10μg/mL of the bark extract were rounded with consequent reduction in cell volume. The concentration of 20μg/mL of bark extract caused severe reduction in volume of the cells and caused the appearance of intracellular vacuoles. The same was observed after treatment with 40μg/mL. Treatment with 40μg/mL of the hydroalcoholic extract of total fruit dramatically changed the morphology of the MCF-7 cells causing vacuolization and lysis with apparent loss of cytoplasmic contents. MTT assay showed a reduction in viability of MCF-7 cells treated with 20 and 40μg/mL after 24 hours of treatment. Analysis by electron microscopy showed the appearance...

Avaliação da distribuição de cobre associado a compostos de diferentes massas moleculares na polpa de açaí / Evaluation of the distribution of copper associated to compounds of different molecular weights in the acai pulp

Neste estudo, cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho (SEC) com detecção por UV e detecção off-line por espectrometria de absorção atômica em forno de grafite (GF AAS) foi usada para investigar a associação de cobre a espécies de alta massa molecular (HMW) e baixa massa molecular (LMW) presentes na polpa de açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). A concentração total de cobre obtida nos digeridos da polpa de açaí foi 10,5 µg g-1. Cobre foi encontrado associado às frações de HMW e LMW, correspondentes às massas moleculares de 28,7, 2,6 e 0,43 kDa.

In this study, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with ultraviolet (UV) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) off-line detection was used to investigate the association of copper to high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) species present in Euterpe oleracea Mart. pulp. Total concentration of copper was 10.5 µg g-1. Copper was found to be associated to fractions corresponding to 28.7, 2.6 and 0.43 kDa.

Processamento e avaliação da qualidade de licor de açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart. ) / Processing and quality evaluation of açai liqueur (Euterpe oleracea Mart. )

O objetivo deste estudo foi elaborar um licor à base de açaí e avaliar a qualidade físico-química, microbiológica e sensorial. A matéria-prima e o licor foram avaliados quanto aos parâmetros físicoquímicos como umidade, lipídeos, proteína, cinzas, carboidratos totais, sólidos totais, sólidos solúveis,acidez total, açúcares (redutores, não redutores e totais), teor alcoólico, densidade, cálcio, pH, fibras eferro; e microbiológicos quanto a presença de coliformes a 35 °C e 45 °C, bolores, leveduras e Salmonella. Efetuou-se um teste de aceitação com 40 provadores entre 20 e 42 anos, utilizando escala hedônica estruturada mista de nove pontos e intenção de compra. A polpa apresentou elevados teores de umidade, lipídeos e fibras e baixos conteúdos de cinzas, acidez e cálcio. A bebida elaborada apresentou teor alcoólico de 16,00 ± 0,50 por cento (v/v), elevados teores de açúcares e baixa acidez e cinzas. O licor apresentou ausência de Salmonella, coliformes e bolores e leveduras. A bebida apresentou índice satisfatório de aceitabilidade para todos os atributos, destacando-se a aparência que obteve maior aceitação, seguido de consistência, textura, sabor, cor e aroma, com intenção de compra de 74,8 por cento. Diante dos resultados verificou-se que o açaí é uma matéria-prima alternativa para elaboração de novos produtos alimentícios, dentre eles o licor.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Euterpe oleracea Mart., Arecaceae, oil

The oil of the fruits of Euterpe oleracea Mart., Arecaceae (OEO), was evaluated in models of inflammation and hyperalgesia in vivo to study its effects on these conditions. The experimental models contained the writhing test in mice, rat paw edema, granuloma test in rats, vascular permeability in rats, cell migration to the peritoneal cavity in rats and ear erythema induced by croton oil in mice. Doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg of OEO were administered orally. The observed number of writhes was inhibited by 33.67, 45.88 and 55.58 percent, respectively. OEO produced a dose-dependent effect, with linear correlation coefficient R=0.99 (y=0.0219x+23.133), and the median effective dose found was 1226.8 mg/kg. The oral administration of 1226.8 mg/kg of OEO inhibited carrageenan-induced edema by 29.18 percent (p<0.05) when compared to the control group. The daily administration of OEO for six days inhibited the formation of granulomatous tissue by 36.66 percent (p<0.01). In ear erythema induced by croton oil, OEO presented a significant inhibition (37.9 percent). In the vascular permeability test, treatment with OEO decreased the response to histamine, inhibiting vascular permeability by 54.16 percent. In carrageenan-induced peritonitis, OEO reduced the number of neutrophils migrating compared to the control group by 80.14 percent. These results suggested that OEO has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, probably of peripheral origin and linked to prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibition.