clove and Obesity

Obesity is a major worldwide health threat. It is characterized by an abnormal adipose tissue overgrowth together with increased monocytes infiltration, causing inflammation and oxidative stress, events associated with several illnesses. Investigations have focused on the benefits of native fruit consumption, claiming these to be natural sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. It has been widely stated that berries are a source of the most antioxidant compounds, and, thus, seem highly promising to endure research efforts on these vegetal matrices. The present article describes botanical, chemical and biomedical features of the Chilean native berries, Aristotelia chilensis, Ugni molinae, and Berberis microphylla. This work aims to potentiate incoming research focused on the search for novel treatments for first-order diseases with these particular plant sources.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Berberis; Chile; Elaeocarpaceae; Fruit; Humans; Inflammation; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Phytochemicals

Polyphenols from cambuci (CBC) (Campomanesia phaea (O. Berg.)), a Brazilian native fruit, were investigated on therapeutic actions mitigating insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in high-fat-sucrose diet (HFS) induced obese mice. For this, C57BL/6J mice fed with a obesogenic and diabetogenic HFS diet were administered with either water or two CBC doses (36 or 74 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg body weight) by gavage from week 6 to week 14 (end-point) of HFS feeding. CBC reduced body weight gain, inflammation, hepatic steatosis, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in liver and skeletal muscle of obese mice, and such effects were associated with activation of Akt and AMPK in these tissues. In conclusion, polyphenols from CBC show important therapeutic actions ameliorating obesity-associated complications.

Topics: Animals; Diet, High-Fat; Fruit; Insulin Resistance; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Obese; Myrtaceae; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Obesity; Polyphenols

Jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) is a Brazilian native fruit belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Previously it was demonstrated that phenolic-rich extracts from jaboticaba (PEJ) possess health-beneficial properties in diet-induced obesity; however, whether PEJ modulates the obesity-associated intestinal inflammatory status remains unclear. Thus, male C57BL/6J obese mice were fed a high-fat-sugar (HFS) diet and received PEJ at two doses, 50 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg body weight (BW) (PEJ1 group), and 100 mg GAE/kg BW (PEJ2 group), or water (HFS group) by oral gavage for 14 weeks. PEJ groups presented a reduced body weight gain and adiposity and were protected against insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. In addition, PEJ prevented metabolic endotoxemia linked to an attenuation of the HFS diet-induced intestinal inflammation via down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), membrane transporter toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the colon. These anti-inflammatory effects appear to be involved, at least in part, with an inhibition of the colonic inflammasome pathway of obese mice.

Topics: Animals; Brazil; Endotoxemia; Inflammation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myrtaceae; Obesity

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Supplements; Ethanol; Inflammation; Male; Metabolic Diseases; Mice; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts

to compare the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from the peel of Camu-Camu, a fruit plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family, widely distributed in the Amazon basin, with those of sleeve gastrectomy, on the weight and glycemia of Wistar rats.. twenty-four Wistar rats underwent obesity induction through a hyperlipid diet for eight weeks (fat period), and were randomized into three groups: Control Group (CG), Camu-Camu Group (CCG) and Bariatric Surgery Group (BSG). After this period, all animals returned to a normal diet and the intervention period began: CG did not undergo any intervention beyond diet change; CCG animals underwent gavage procedure for administration of Camu-Camu hydroalcoholic extract, 1g/kg/day, for four weeks; and the BSG was submitted to the surgical procedure of sleeve gastrectomy. We followed all animals for four weeks.. there was only one loss in BSG due to a gastric fistula. We observed significant variations in the animals' mean weight: the CG evolved with weight gain even after the withdraw of the hypercaloric diet, while the other two groups presented weight reduction. BSG presented a significant reduction of weight and BMI (p<0.05); CCG achieved a significant reduction only of the BMI (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant changes in the glycemic levels.. in spite of reducing weight, the crude hydroalcoholic extract of the Camu-Camu peel was not able to be as efficient as sleeve gastrectomy in the control of body weight in Wistar rats.. comparar os efeitos do extrato hidroalcoólico da casca do Camu-Camu, uma planta frutífera pertencente à família Myrtaceae amplamente distribuída na bacia amazônica, com os da gastrectomia vertical, sobre o peso e a glicemia de ratos Wistar.. vinte e quatro ratos Wistar foram submetidos à indução de obesidade através de dieta hiperlipídica por oito semanas (período de engorda), e randomizados em três grupos: Grupo Controle (GC), Grupo Camu-Camu (GCC) e Grupo Cirurgia Bariátrica (GCB). Após esse período, todos os animais retornaram a uma dieta normal e iniciou-se o período de intervenção: o GC não sofreu nenhuma intervenção além da mudança da dieta; o GCC foi submetido ao procedimento de gavagem para administração de extrato hidroalcoólico de Camu-Camu 1g/kg/dia por quatro semanas; e o GCB foi submetido ao procedimento cirúrgico de gastrectomia vertical. Todos os animais foram acompanhados por quatro semanas.. houve apenas uma perda no GCB devido à fístula gástrica. Observou-se variações significativas no peso médio dos animais: o GC evoluiu com aumento de peso mesmo após a retirada da dieta de engorda, enquanto os outros dois grupos apresentaram redução de peso. O GCB apresentou redução significativa do peso e do IMC (p<0,05); o GCC obteve redução significativa apenas do IMC (p<0,05). Não houve alterações estatisticamente significantes nos níveis glicêmicos.. apesar de reduzir o peso, o extrato hidroalcoólico bruto da casca do Camu-Camu não foi capaz de se mostrar tão eficiente quanto a cirurgia de gastrectomia vertical no controle do peso corporal em ratos Wistar.

Topics: Animals; Bariatric Surgery; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Fruit; Male; Myrtaceae; Nutrition Therapy; Obesity; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Weight Loss

Infusions of murtilla leaves exhibit antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds that are structurally similar to madecassic acid (MA), a component of murtilla leaf extract (ethyl acetate extract, EAE), have been shown to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1P). The aim of this study was to evaluate if EAE and two compounds identified in EAE (MA and myricetin [MYR]) could have a beneficial effect on systemic and vascular insulin sensitivity and endothelial function in a model of diet-induced obesity. Experiments were performed in 5-week-old male C57BL6J mice fed with a standard (LF) or a very high-fat diet (HF) for 4 weeks and treated with EAE, MA, MYR, or the vehicle as control (C). EAE significantly inhibited PTP1B. EAE and MA, but not MYR, significantly improved systemic insulin sensitivity in HF mice and vascular relaxation to Ach in aorta segments, due to a significant increase of eNOS phosphorylation and enhanced nitric oxide availability. EAE, MA, and MYR also accounted for increased relaxant responses to insulin in HF mice, thus evidencing that the treatments significantly improved aortic insulin sensitivity. This study shows for the first time that EAE and MA could constitute interesting candidates for treating insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction associated with obesity.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Diet, High-Fat; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelium, Vascular; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myrtaceae; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Obesity; Phosphorylation; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Triterpenes

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.

Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Fatty Liver; Insulin Resistance; Male; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Plant Extracts; Powders; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Polyphenol-rich cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) extracts (PCE) have previously shown to prevent body weight and adiposity induced by high-fat/high-sucrose (HFS) diet. Whether PCE also exerts protective effects in already developed obesity is unknown. In order to test this hypothesis, male C57BL/6J obese mice (previously feed with a HFS diet for six weeks) were treated with PCE at two doses, 7mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg body weight (PCE I group), and 14mg GAE/kg body weight (PCE II group) or water (HFS and Chow groups) by oral gavage for eight weeks. PCE did not affect body weight and adiposity of obese mice. However, PCE did protect against dyslipidemia, fasting hyperglycemia, and glucose intolerance, and attenuated both hepatic gluconeogenesis and inflammation as observed by the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and transcriptional factor NF-κB. These results indicate that PCE improves glucose homeostasis of obese mice by attenuating hepatic gluconeogenesis and inflammation.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anti-Obesity Agents; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Sucrose; Disease Models, Animal; Eugenia; Fruit; Gluconeogenesis; Hypoglycemic Agents; Hypolipidemic Agents; Inflammation Mediators; Lipids; Liver; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-kappa B; Obesity; Polyphenols; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics: Adipose Tissue, White; Adiposity; Animals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Blood Glucose; Cholesterol; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Sucrose; Disease Models, Animal; Dyslipidemias; Hyperglycemia; Hyperinsulinism; Hypoglycemic Agents; Hypolipidemic Agents; Insulin; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Phenols; Plant Extracts; Tannins; Time Factors; Weight Gain

The hyperphosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau (tau) in the hippocampus can be caused by central and peripheral insulin resistance and these alterations are related to the development of tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we used a high-fat diet to induce obesity and insulin resistance in adult Swiss mice and checked whether supplementation with Myrciaria jaboticaba berry peel for 10 weeks could improve insulin sensitivity, learning/memory performance, and prevent tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, adipocytokines, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress were assessed. Myrciaria jaboticaba peel has phenolic compounds (e.g., cyanidin, ellagic acid), dietary fiber and carotenoids, which contribute to great antioxidant capacity. Supplementation of the high-fat diet with 4% M. jaboticaba peel prevented fat weight gain and reduced peripheral insulin resistance. The treated group also showed lower tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus corroborating better learning/memory performance in the Morris water maze test. Maintenance of neuronal viability, lower levels of hippocampal inflammatory markers, and improved brain antioxidant defenses were also related to the consumption of M. jaboticaba peel. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how a high-fat diet supplemented with jaboticaba berry peel counteracts the impairment of cognitive functions caused by high-fat diet intake and diet-induced insulin resistance.

Topics: Animals; Anthocyanins; Biomarkers; Carotenoids; Cognition; Cytokines; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Fiber; Ellagic Acid; Fruit; Hippocampus; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Male; Memory; Mice; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Phosphorylation; tau Proteins; Weight Gain

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Eugenia uniflora fruit (red type) extract on metabolic status, as well as on neurochemical and behavioral parameters in an animal model of metabolic syndrome induced by a highly palatable diet (HPD). Rats were treated for 150days and divided into 4 experimental groups: standard chow (SC) and water orally, SC and E. uniflora extract (200mg/kg daily, p.o), HPD and water orally, HPD and extract. Our data showed that HPD caused glucose intolerance, increased visceral fat, weight gain, as well as serum glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol; however, E. uniflora prevented these alterations. The extract decreased lipid peroxidation and prevented the reduction of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum of animals submitted to HPD. We observed a HPD-induced reduction of thiol content in these cerebral structures. The extract prevented increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the prefrontal cortex caused by HPD and the increase in immobility time observed in the forced swim test. Regarding chemical composition, LC/MS analysis showed the presence of nine anthocyanins as the major compounds. In conclusion, E. uniflora extract showed benefits against metabolic alterations caused by HPD, as well as exhibited antioxidant and antidepressant-like effects.

Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Adiposity; Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Antioxidants; Behavior, Animal; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Brain; Catalase; Depression; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Sucrose; Disease Models, Animal; Dyslipidemias; Eugenia; Fruit; Glucose Intolerance; GPI-Linked Proteins; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipids; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Motor Activity; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Rats, Wistar; Superoxide Dismutase; Time Factors; Weight Gain

Madagascar is a geographically isolated country considered a biodiversity hotspot with unique genomics. Both the low-income and the geographical isolation represent risk factors for the development of diabetes. During a humanitarian health campaign conducted in Ambanja, a rural city in the northern part of Madagascar, we identified 42 adult subjects with diabetes and compared their features to 24 randomly enrolled healthy controls. 42.9% (

Topics: Aged; Autoantibodies; Autoimmune Diseases; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Glutamate Decarboxylase; Glycated Hemoglobin; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Hypoglycemia; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Rural Health

The peel of the native Brazilian fruit jaboticaba is rich in anthocyanins, which are known for their anti-obesity effects in animal models. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of freeze-dried jaboticaba peel powder (FDJPP) on a number of metabolic parameters in a model of diet-induced obesity. Mice (n 8 per group) were initially fed on a high-fat diet (HFD, 35% w/w) for 4 weeks and then switched to a HFD supplemented with FDJPP (1, 2 or 4% w/w) for an additional 6 weeks. Energy intake, weight loss, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and lipid profile were determined, and the results were evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. The FDJPP exerted no protective effect on HFD-induced weight gain, hyperleptinaemia and glucose intolerance. However, the supplementation was effective to reduce insulin resistance, as evidenced in the insulin tolerance test, and subsequently confirmed by improved signal transduction through the insulin receptor/insulin receptor substrate-1/Akt/forkhead box protein pathway and by the attenuation of HFD-induced inflammation in the liver, verified by lower expressions of IL-1b and IL-6 and decreased phosphorylated IkB-a protein levels in all jaboticaba-treated mice. These results suggest that FDJPP may exert a protective role against obesity-associated insulin resistance.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Anthocyanins; Anti-Obesity Agents; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Supplements; Fruit; Glucose Intolerance; Inflammation; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Leptin; Liver; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Powders; Receptor, Insulin; Signal Transduction; Weight Gain

Amazonian Camu-camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia HBK Mc Vaugh) has attracted interest from food and cosmetics industries because of its rich content of vitamin C, flavonoids and anthocyanins. The goal of this study was investigates the antiobesity action of the ingestion of the Camu-camu pulp in a rat model of diet-induced obesity. Wistar rats with obesity induced by subcutaneous injection of monosodium glutamate receiving diet ad libitum. The rats were divided in two groups: an experimental group that ingested 25 mL/day of Camu-camu pulp (CCG) and a non treated group (CG). After 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Blood, liver, heart, white adipose tissues were collected and weighted, biochemical and inflammatory profiles were determinate as well. Animals that received the pulp of Camu-camu reduced their weights of the fat in white adipose tissues, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c and insulin blood levels. There was an increase in HDL-c levels. No change was observed in inflammatory markers and liver enzymes. Camu-camu pulp was able to improve the biochemical profile of obesity in rats suggesting that this Amazonian fruit can be further used such a functional food ingredient in control of chronic diseases linked to obesity.

Topics: Animals; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Fruit; Male; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Jaboticaba, a native fruit from Brazilian Atlantic Forest, is an important source of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have been recently identified as modulators of lipid metabolism and energy expenditure 'in vivo'. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the freeze-dried jaboticaba peel powder on obesity treatment in different experimental models. Obese Swiss mice and obese Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 1, 2 and 4% freeze-dried jaboticaba peel powder for 6 weeks. Energy intake, weight gain and body composition were determined, and the results were analyzed using variance and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05). The energy intake was higher in mice groups supplemented with 2% and 4% of jaboticaba peel. In relation to weight gain, the mice supplemented with 2% of jaboticaba peel had higher total weight gain than the other experimental groups, while no significant difference in the fat mass accumulation was observed among the groups. The rats did not show significant differences in the evaluated parameters. These results suggest that the supplementation with freeze-dried jaboticaba peel powder, at concentrations of 1, 2 and 4%, was not effective in the reduction of energy intake, weight gain and body fat both in mice and in rats.

Topics: Animals; Anthocyanins; Energy Intake; Freeze Drying; Fruit; Mice; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Weight Gain

An infusion of Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae) leaves (Guabiroba) and the herb Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J.F. Macbr. (Lythraceae) (Sete-sangrias) is traditionally used in the South of Brazil to treat high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The effects of the aqueous extracts of these herbs were investigated in rats fed on a high calorie diet. Chronic treatment with the Guabiroba aqueous extract induced a significant reduction in weight gain in the rats, compared to the control group. Also, biochemical analysis showed that this treatment reduced the glycemia, while no effects on lipidic levels were observed. The biochemical analysis of the animals treated with Sete-sangrias aqueous extract showed no effect on glucose and triglyceride levels, while chronic treatment with the Sete-sangrias aqueous extract induced a significant reduction in plasma cholesterol in rats.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Cholesterol; Cuphea; Hypolipidemic Agents; Male; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Triglycerides; Weight Loss

In many developing countries and especially those in the Indian Ocean, the prevalences of hypertension and obesity have increased markedly over the past decade. In a community-based study set in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, multi-level modelling has now been used to look for associations between blood pressure or body mass index (BMI) and levels of occupation, education and income, among 773 adults. Many (23%) of the subjects had elevated blood pressure (i.e. over 140/90 mmHg). The prevalence of such elevated blood pressure increased with age - with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.16 and a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.81-2.58 for each 10-year increase - but decreased with educational level (high school: OR=0.74; CI = 0.41-1.31) and income (fourth quartile: OR= 0.66; CI = 0.35-1.27). The BMI data indicated that 18.4% of the subjects were underweight, 6.0% were overweight but not obese and 2.4% were obese. Being overweight was directly associated with level of occupation (management level: OR= 3.49; CI = 1.18-10.29) and income (fourth quartile: OR= 3.55;CI = 1.48-8.50). Despite the trends, underweight and overweight individuals and cases of elevated blood pressure were found to co-exist in all socio-economic classes.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Body Mass Index; Confidence Intervals; Developing Countries; Educational Status; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Income; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Prevalence; Risk; Social Class; Urban Population