Physicochemical variability of cambuci fruit (Campomanesia phaea) from the same orchard, from different locations and at different ripening stages

Proanthocyanidins and Where to Find Them: A Meta-Analytic Approach to Investigate Their Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Distribution, and Effect on Human Health

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are a class of polyphenolic compounds that are attracting considerable interest in the nutraceutical field due to their potential health benefits. However, knowledge about the chemistry, biosynthesis, and distribution of PACs is limited. This review summarizes the main chemical characteristics and biosynthetic pathways and the main analytical methods aimed at their identification and quantification in raw plant matrices. Furthermore, meta-analytic approaches were used to identify the main plant sources in which PACs were contained and to investigate their potential effect on human health. In particular, a cluster analysis identified PACs in 35 different plant families and 60 different plant parts normally consumed in the human diet. On the other hand, a literature search, coupled with forest plot analyses, highlighted how PACs can be actively involved in both local and systemic effects. Finally, the potential mechanisms of action through which PACs may impact human health were investigated, focusing on their systemic hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects and their local anti-inflammatory actions on the intestinal epithelium. Overall, this review may be considered a complete report in which chemical, biosynthetic, ecological, and pharmacological aspects of PACs are discussed.

Classical Food Quality Attributes and the Metabolic Profile of Cambuci, a Native Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Fruit

The cambuci is a native Brazilian fruit from the Atlantic Forest biome. A soft and astringent pulp, a green color, and a sweet aroma are its main characteristics. Classical food quality attributes (fresh fruit mass, fruit height, diameters, total soluble solid, titratable acidity, and ratio) and the metabolic profile from ten accessions from three different locations were analyzed herein by analytical methods (refractometry and neutralization titration) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Concerning sugar content, sucrose was the predominant compound, with glucose and fructose alternating in second, depending on the accession. Citric acid was the most relevant acid, followed by shikimic and quinic acids in quite variable amounts. These three main acids vary in amounts for each accession. Ascorbic acid content emerges as an important quality attribute and makes this fruit nutritionally attractive, due to values comparable to those contained in citric fruits. The main amino acids identified in cambuci were glutamic acid individually or in comprising the tripeptide glutathione (glutamic acid, cysteine, glycine). The quality diversity of the evaluated accessions suggests the potentiality of cambuci use in future breeding programs.

Dereplication and evaluation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of hydroethanolic extract of leaves from Campomanesia xanthocarpa O. Berg

Campomanesia xanthocarpa popularly known as gabiroba is used as a medicinal plant for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, ulcers, among other uses, requiring studies to assist in proving these activities. In this study, the extract of leaves from C. xanthocarpa (CxHE) was submitted to assays of formalin-induced paw-licking, peritonitis induced by lipopolysaccharide and carrageenan-induced mechanical hyperalgesia tests. In chemical analysis, a preliminary phytochemical screening and the determination of phenol and flavonoid content were carried out, in addition to analysis by ESI-MS/MS system and HPLC-DAD system. The CxHE presented compounds such as tannins, triterpenoids, steroids and saponins and content of phenols (35.9 ± 1.3 GAE/g extract) and flavonoids (23.3 ± 2.1 mg EQ/g extract). Protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, ethyl gallate, quercetin, and 3-methyl epigallocatechin gallate, alpha and beta-amyrins were identified. CxHE at doses of 10-1000 mg/kg p.o. demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in all in vivo assays employed in this study. [Figure: see text].

Pharmacological evaluation of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Campomanesia phaea fruits in rats

Campomanesia phaea (Myrtaceae), popularly known as cambuci, is one of several species of plants producing comestible fruits, largely used in human nutrition. Despite its consumption and economic potential, limited scientific research is available on the Campomanesia, especially those related to its therapeutic benefits. It is reported by traditional medicine the use of the plant in the treatment of different disorders, such as cardiovascular and nervous system disturbances. So, the aim of this study was to carry out the pharmacological evaluation of the hydro-alcoholic extract (HAE) of Campomanesia fruits in rats by screening consisting of tests: a) neuropharmacological observation, b) test on the cardiovascular system. The HAE, prepared from the extraction of fruits with water/ethanol, was concentrated and freeze-dried. Behavioral responses in rats were investigated in open field test and the cardiovascular actions were investigated by a register of indirect blood pressure and the register of spontaneous beating rate right atrium. The results revealed that HAE induced grooming, hypotension and bradycardia. So, this study identified an action on the central nervous system, represented by grooming, and a cardiovascular activity of Campomanesia. The hypotension, attributed in part to bradycardia, was not related to a cholinergic effect, discarding a possible cholinomimetic action of the plant that could justify both cardiovascular and central actions.

Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott): Chemical composition, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in two edible stages

The berries of the genus Rubus has been highlighted as important source of bioactive and health promoting constituents, however, information about chemical composition and antioxidant potential of the specie Rubus ulmifolius are still scarce. In this regard, this study aimed to assess the physicochemical characteristics, total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), individual phenolics, minerals, sugars, and antioxidant properties of mature and fully mature R. ulmifolius. With the advance of maturation, changes in the physicochemical composition suggest pleasant characteristics for consumption especially in the fully mature stage. High levels of TMA and sugars (fructose and glucose) were also verified in the fully mature stage, as well as, expressive antioxidant potential, with values of 241.06 μM Fe⁺² g^-1 for ferric reducing antioxidant power and 28.22 mg gallic acid equivalent g^-1 for Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity (all expressed in dry matter, DM). In contrast, minerals (potassium, calcium, sodium) and most of the studied phenolic compounds showed the highest concentrations in mature fruits. Among the phenolics investigated, 26 compounds were identified and quercetin and isoquercitrin were the predominant phenolic compounds in the fruit. The results reinforce the nutritive and antioxidant potential of Rubus ulmifolius in both maturation stages studied.