Evaluation of the antioxidant capacity, volatile composition and phenolic content of hybrid Vitis vinifera L. varieties sweet sapphire and sweet surprise.

Bioactive compounds were extracted using two different extraction solvents (acetone and water) from pulp and whole grape berries derived from hybrid Vitis vinifera L. varieties Sweet sapphire (SP) and Sweet surprise (SU) and were characterised based on a comprehensive metabolomic approach by chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MSE and GC-FID/MS). GC-FID/MS analysis was performed with two different extraction methods (solvent extraction method and solid-phase extraction). Anthocyanins were characterised and quantified by HPLC-UV. The antioxidant potential was assessed by different assays. SP acetone extract from grape skin had the highest mean to DPPH, FRAP, ORAC and phenolic content SP samples, also showed higher anthocyanin content. Globally, 87 phenolic compounds were identified. The relative quantification by UPLC-MSE showed flavonoids the most abundant class. Forty two compounds were found in the volatile fraction of SU, while only thirty one volatile compounds were found in the SP samples.

Passion fruit peel intake decreases inflammatory response and reverts lipid peroxidation and adiposity in diet-induced obese rats.

This study investigated Passiflora edulis peel flour (PEPF) intake and its effect against high-fat diet-induced obesity. PEPF is a source of fiber and phenolic compounds, which can decrease oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, both linked to chronic inflammatory response and fat deposition in obesity. Therefore, we hypothesized that PEPF intake could decrease inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress observed in obesity, leading to decrease of fatness and chronic inflammatory response. The aims of the study were to evaluate the lipid peroxidation, the expression of antioxidants enzymes, and inflammatory parameters in obese rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 8 per group) according to the diets: control (based on AIN-93G), high-fat (HF, 35% fat w/w), and HF with PEPF (HFPF), and the experiment lasted for 10 weeks. PEPF showed high dietary fiber content and bioactive compounds, such as ferulic acid, and ß-carotene. PEPF intake was effective in reducing body weight gain (13.31%) and total body fat (22.58%). The lipid peroxidation in the liver and adipose tissue decreased in the HFPF group compared to HF-fed animals, whereas hepatic glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity and their expressions in the liver were higher in HFPF than HF. In addition, the PEPF intake decreased inflammatory cytokines in serum. These results suggest that PEPF intake decreases oxidative stress, possibly by the increase of antioxidant enzymes expression. Furthermore, PEPF decreases inflammatory response and protects from adiposity. Then, PEPF could act as an adjuvant to control of early parameters in obesity dysfunction.

Red-jambo peel extract shows antiproliferative activity against HepG2 human hepatoma cells.

The peel of the red-jambo concentrates the majority of the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of the fruit. Minor phenolic compounds in this part of the fruit are still unknown, as well as the effect of its extracts in in vitro and in vivo studies. In an ethanolic extract of red-jambo, a wider range of phenolic compounds was investigated and the antioxidant cellular antioxidant activity and inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation were evaluated for the first time. Using HPLC-FLD/DAD for phenolic compounds determination, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate were found for the first time in the peel of the red-jambo fruit. The anthocyanins found (cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside and peonidin 3-glucoside) were the flavonoid class strongly correlated with the antioxidant capacity methods used in this study (cellular antioxidant activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity). The ethanolic extract of the peel showed significant effect on reducing the tumoral cell growth and proliferation. Antiproliferative activity of phytochemicals showed no significant correlative relations with total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and anthocyanins, demonstrating which the antiproliferative effect of the extract could be due to the synergic action among the compounds in red-jambo peel.

Grape peel powder promotes intestinal barrier homeostasis in acute TNBS-colitis: A major role for dietary fiber and fiber-bound polyphenols.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by impaired intestinal barrier function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of grape peel powder (GPP) and its bioactive rich-fractions on the barrier function and colonic injury in a model of colitis induced by 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Wistar rats received diets supplemented with either GPP (8%), extractable polyphenols (EP), non-extractable polyphenols-rich fraction (NEP-F), or polyphenols-poor, fiber-rich fraction (F) from grapes at amounts equivalent to the GPP group during 15 days before and for 7 days after colitis induction. NEP-F has decreased the extension of colonic lesion but the other grape peel bioactive fractions did not protect against macroscopic or microscopic colonic damage, EP diet increased macroscopic colonic damage. GPP, EP, and NEP-F reduced claudin-2 mRNA expression, whereas GPP and F fraction increased occludin and ZO-1 mRNA expression. All experimental diets reduced the colitis-triggered increase of MMP-9 mRNA expression. Colitis reduced by 30% the production of cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). GPP and NEP-F completely protected against this effect, whereas F fraction was ineffective. Only GPP and NEP-F were able to decrease the upregulation of GRP94 mRNA triggered by colitis. Dietary fiber seems to reestablish the intestinal barrier function, whereas fiber-bound phenolics were able to restore cecal metabolism to produce beneficial metabolites like SCFA and to reduce the activation of the unfolded protein response.

Jaboticaba peel powder and jaboticaba peel aqueous extract reduces obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic fat accumulation in rats.

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried jaboticaba peel (FJP) and jaboticaba tea (JE) on obesity parameters of diet-induced obese rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were distributed into six groups: AIN-93 M feed a normal control diet; HFF (obese control) feed a high-fat and fructose diet; Prevention FJP (P. FJP) and Treatment FJP (T. FJP) feed HFF diet with 2% of FJP powder, for 12 and 6 weeks respectively; Prevention JE (P. JE) and Treatment JE (T. JE) were feed with HFF diet and the water was substituted by JE, for 12 and 6 weeks, respectively. Lipid profile, glucose, adiponectin and leptin were measured. Glucose and insulin tolerance, also pancreatic islet insulin secretion were determined. Liver morphology and fat liver accumulation were evaluated. Results showed that HFF-diet induced weight gain, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. All FJP and JE treatments reduced weight gain, adiposity and improved insulin sensitivity. Twelve weeks supplementation increased HDL-cholesterol and prevented hepatic steatosis. Our results suggest that FJP and JE act as functional foods, being a dietary strategy to prevent or control obesity. FJP and JE 12 weeks supplementation can modulate important parameters of obesity and insulin metabolism, preventing liver steatosis in obese rats.