Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the Coffea arabica Lineu (L.) leaf extract and its effects on platelet aggregation of dyslipidemic rats. The extract was obtained by the percolation of C. arabica L. leaves in hydroethanolic solution 70% (v/v). The mass spectrometry FIA-ESI-MS² suggested the presence of chlorogenic acid, rutin acid, and quinic acid. The DPPH• radicals scavenging capacity was demonstrated (IC50 = 0.06 mg/mL). The extract was administered to rats by gavage (300 mg/kg/day) for 56 days. Dyslipidemia was induced by administering Triton WR-1339 (300 mg/kg body weight) on the 54th day. On day 56, blood was collected by puncturing the abdominal aorta artery and the aortic artery was removed. Lipid profile, markers of renal and hepatic injury, lipid peroxidation, and platelet aggregation tests were carried out. The ingestion of extract reduced the lipid peroxidation (aorta and plasma) and platelet aggregation in dyslipidemic rats. The extract did not affect markers of renal and hepatic function as analyzed in this study, suggesting neither impaired liver nor kidney function in these animals. Therefore, our results demonstrate that the extract of leaves of C. arabica L. show antioxidant potential in vitro and in vivo as well as anti-platelet aggregation in dyslipidemic animals.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of extracts of Passiflora edulis Sims leaves on the oxidative metabolism of rat peritoneal neutrophils using a model of acute inflammation. The extract was obtained by maceration in 70% ethanol, evaporation under reduced pressure and lyophilisation. Total phenolic content (TP) was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The P. edulis extract, in different doses, was administered by gavage 1 h prior to inflammation induction by carrageenan (8 mg/kg, i.p.); five hours later, the neutrophils were obtained by intraperitoneal lavage. The tests performed in neutrophils were cytochrome C and chemiluminescence assay as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities. The administration of the extract reduced the number of neutrophils recruited to the site of inflammation; however, the extract did not alter the activity of NADPH oxidase as well as SOD activity in these cells. The MPO and CAT activities in peritoneal neutrophils of rat treated with extract was lower than in the control group, and the GPx activity was increased. Based on the experimental model utilised, the anti-inflammatory potential of P. edulis leaf extract could be related to the presence of phenolic compounds in the extract.

O marolo (Annona crassiflora Mart.) é uma fruta do cerrado brasileiro e fonte de compostos fitoquímicos com grande variedade de atividades biológicas, incluindo eliminação de radicais livres. Entretanto, em estudos anteriores, essa fruta nativa mostrou-se como potencializadora do processo mutagênico in vivo. Objetivou-se, neste estudo, investigar os efeitos da ingestão da polpa de marolo sobre a proliferação de células do cólon e no desenvolvimento de lesões pré-neoplásicas por meio de focos de criptas aberrantes (ACF) em ratos Wistar. Os animais foram alimentados com dieta comercial ou suplementada com polpa de marolo nas proporções de 1%, 10% ou 20% (m/m), durante 4 semanas, ou 20 semanas. Como agente indutor da carcinogênese de cólon foi utilizado o dicloridrato de 1,2-dimetilhidrazina (4 doses, 40 mg kg-1 cada). Após a eutanásia, as amostras de sangue, fígado e cólon foram coletadas para determinações bioquímicas, estresse oxidativo ou análise de desenvolvimento de Focos de Criptas Aberrantes (FCA), respectivamente. A análise imunohistoquímica da mucosa do cólon foi realizada, utilizando anticorpos contra o antígeno nuclear de proliferação celular (PCNA) e β-catenina em FCA. Não houve desenvolvimento de FCA no cólon nos grupos tratados exclusivamente com polpa de marolo. Além disso, a análise de estresse oxidativo e bioquímico, PCNA e de desenvolvimento (multiplicidade, número ou localização celular da β-catenina) permaneceram inalteradas como resultado da ingestão da polpa de marolo. Assim, os resultados sugerem que a ingestão do fruto não exerceu efeito protetor contra a carcinogênese induzida pela DMH e, principalmente, não apresentou efeitos mutagênicos ou carcinogênicos pelos métodos avaliados.

A. crassiflora Mart. a Brazilian savannah fruit, is a source of phytochemical compounds that possess a wide array of biological activities, including free radical scavenging. This native fruit proved to potentialize the mutagenic process in previous in vivo investigations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of A. crassiflora Mart. pulp intake on colonic cell proliferation and on the development of Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF) in male Wistar rats. The animals were fed with either a commercial diet or a diet supplemented with A. crassiflora Mart. pulp mixed in 1%, 10% or 20% (w/w) for 4 weeks or 20 weeks. The carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (4 doses, 40 mg kg-1 each) was used to induce colonic ACF. After euthanasia, the blood, liver and colon samples were collected for biochemical determinations, oxidative stress or ACF development analysis, respectively. Immunohistochemical analyses of the colonic mucosa were performed using antibodies against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in normal-appearing colonic crypt and β-catenin in ACF. There was no ACF development in the colon from groups treated with A. crassiflora Mart. pulp. Also, the biochemical and oxidative stress analysis, PCNA labeling and ACF development (number, multiplicity or cellular localization of β-catenin) were unchanged as a result of marolo pulp intake. Thus, the present results suggest that A. crassiflora Mart. pulp intake did not exert any protective effect in the colon carcinogenesis induced by DMH in rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of coffee decaffeination with dichloromethane on the in vitro antioxidant activity of this matrix. It were determined the content of total phenolics, chlorogenic acid and caffeine of the coffee samples. The assessment of the antioxidant potential was investigated by DPPH radical scavenging method, reducer power and Fe2+chelation activity. The process of decaffeination and roasting caused changes in the levels of the compounds investigated. The results show that the decaffeination by the dichloromethane method reduces the in vitro antioxidant potential of coffee.