Annona muricata Linn, commonly known as graviola, is one of the most popular plants used in Brazil for weight loss. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of three different doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg) of aqueous graviola leaf extract (AGE) supplemented by oral gavage, on obese C57BL/6 mice. Food intake, body weight, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), an insulin sensitivity test, quantification of adipose tissue cytokines, weight of fat pads, and serum biochemical and histological analyses of the liver, pancreas, and epididymal adipose tissue were measured. AGE had an anti-inflammatory effect by increasing IL-10 at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Regarding the cholesterol profile, there was a significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol levels in the AGE 150 group, and VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in the AGE 100 and 150 groups. There was an increase in HDL cholesterol in the AGE 150 group. The extract was able to reduce the adipocyte area of the epididymal adipose tissue in the AGE 100 and 150 groups. According to the histological analysis of the liver and pancreas, no significant difference was found among the groups. There were no significant effects of AGE on OGTT and serum fasting glucose concentration. However, the extract was effective in improving glucose tolerance in the AGE 150 group.

Ischemic postconditioning was able to minimize reperfusion injury of rats undergone mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion process. There was no difference in the effectiveness of the method comparing two cycles of two minutes with four cycles of 30 seconds by H&E histological evaluation of the ileum after 60-minute reperfusion.

A survey of chemical composition of the fruit of Campomanesia adamantium used by rural and urban inhabitants of the cities of the Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, was carried out by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) aiming at the detection of minerals. Fifteen minerals were detected in the peel, pulp, and seeds of plant. The concentrations of elements K, Ca, Na, and P are found to be present at the major level in peel, pulp, and seeds of fruit. The zinc concentration is very low compared to other detected elements. The levels of some chemical elements in the fruit do not exceed the limits established by international legislation. Animal studies should be performed. The knowledge of the chemical elements in plants has economic interest, and involves global health problem.

Dxygen metabolism in cells causes the production of free radicals, which produce damage, including changes in cell structure and function. Antioxidants are substances that, at low concentrations, slow down or prevent oxidation. Fruits and vegetables contribute to the dietary supply of these compounds. The flora of the Cerrado in Brazil has shown to have high levels of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to characterize the antioxidant activity of the pulp of jatobá-do-cerrado in vitro and in vivo. In vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous, ethanol and aqueous acetone extracts was evaluated by the DPPH method. We determined total phenols by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and tannins by the Folin-Denis method. In vivo antioxidant potential of the aqueous acetone extract was evaluated by the TBARS technique. The aqueous acetone extract had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by the aqueous and ethanol extracts. The same pattern occurred in the extraction of phenols and in the extraction of tannins. In vivo administration of the aqueous acetone extract inhibited lipid peroxidation compared to the control group. The inhibition of peroxidation has increased by elevating the dosage concentration of the extracts, demonstrating a significant antioxidant potential in vivo as well as in vitro.

The Brazilian Cerrado contains a large number of fruit species whose nutritional and physical-chemical properties have not been fully characterized to date. The fruit of tucumã (Astrocaryum huaimi Mart) is ellipsoid with fibrous and gelatinous pulp, unique odor, and has significant economic importance in the region. The objective of this study is to analyze the physical-chemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of the fruit of tucumã grown in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Water content, ashes, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, total dietary fiber, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, vitamin C, minerals, and fatty acids were analyzed. Total phenols, tannins, and antioxidant activity were analyzed using the Folin-Ciocalteau method, Folin-Denis method, and photocolorimetric method of the stable free radical DPPH, respectively, in aqueous, acetone, and ethanol extracts. The most relevant components in the fruit were lipids, fibers, vitamin C, unsaturated fatty acids, iron, potassium, manganese, and bioactive compounds. The analysis of the bioactive compounds revealed that the fruit has high antioxidant activity. The acetone extract presented the highest antioxidant capacity followed by the ethanol and aqueous extracts. The results indicated that the tucumã fruit has high nutritional value as a source of lipids, fibers, calories, vitamin C, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids, and high antioxidant activity. Therefore, consuming the tucumã fruit pulp may help prevent nutritional deficiencies and chronic noncommunicable diseases. Key words: Functional food products. Cerrado. Fruit. ResumoO Cerrado Brasileiro é responsável por uma ampla riqueza de espécies frutíferas que ainda não foram estudadas em relação às suas características nutricionais e físico-químicas. O tucumã é um fruto elipsoide de polpa fibrosa, consistência pastosa e odor característico, representando uma importante atividade econômica regional. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as propriedades físico-químicas, nutricionais e antioxidantes do fruto tucumã (Astrocaryum huaimi Mart) do Estado de Minas Gerais. Foram realizadas análises físicas, umidade, cinzas, proteínas, lipídios, carboidratos, fibra alimentar total, pH, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis, vitamina C, minerais e ácidos graxos. Fenóis totais, taninos e a atividade antioxidante foram analisados pelo método Folin-Ciocalteau, Folin-Denis e pelo método fotocolorimétrico do radical livre estável DPPH, respectivamente, em três extratos: aquoso, acetônico e etanólico. Os constituintes que se destacaram no fruto foram lipídios, fibras, vitamina C, ácidos graxos insaturados, ferro, potássio, manganês e compostos bioativos. Em relação aos compostos bioativos analisados foi possível verificar o elevado potencial antioxidante desse fruto. Dentre os extratos analisados, o acetônico foi o que apresentou a maior capacidade antioxidante seguido do etanólico e do aquoso. Os resultados indicaram que o fruto de tucumã apresenta importantes propriedades nutricionais, como fonte de lipídio...

Introduction: Radicchio (Cichorium intybus L.) is a leaf chicory and is grown as a leaf vegetable which usually has white-veined red or purple leaves and it belongs to the Asteraceae family. In several countries is consumed mainly as salad, but no studies on their elemental composition has been done, principally in Brazil. Objective:The aim of present work was to measure the macroelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg and P) and microelements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, Al, Cd, Ni, Co and Si) in the leaf Chicory used as human nourishment in the Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.Method: Chemical digests of samples were prepared using HNO 3 and H 2 O 2 and then placed in the microwave digestion system. After digestion, the concentrations of the elements in leaf chicory were determined by the technique of Inductively Coupled Plasma -Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES, Thermo Scientific -iCAP 6000 Series). Results obtained of the concentrations of leaf chicory were compared with the dietary reference intakes.Results: Detected concentration of macroelements in leaf chicory decreases in the order: K > P > Ca > Mg > Na. As well as the con- IntroductionThe nutrition is one of the main factors of concern and are a major cause of mortality in old age [1]. According the World Health Organization (WHO), the malnutrition contribute to more than one third of all child deaths. Due to rising food prices, lack of access to highly nutritious foods is a common cause of malnutrition. There are others factors that contribute to malnutrition such as inadequate breastfeeding and the wrong foods [2]. The WHO estimate in 2013 was that 5.2 million deaths worldwide would be attributable to inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables [3]. At present, only a small minority of the world's population consumes the average intake of fruits and vegetables recommended by countries or health services. In fact, studies have found that regular intake of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and hypertension [4].In fact, vegetables can be healthy alternatives to human food. Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients and are recommended for supplementation of diet in human. In this context, Brazil has great number of vegetables and wide variety of fruits that is not yet well investigated [5]. Vegetables as Cichorium intybus Linnaeus (leaf chicory) are important foods in the diet of the Brazilian people as well as in others countries [6]. Chicory is a traditional European horticultural crop [7]. In Brazil and Italy, the leaf chicory is called "radicchio", being consumed mainly as salad. Radicchio production has increased in Brazil, where it is currently considered an important vegetable due to high proportion of the agricultural income. Radicchio is a perennial, and has a quick growing with red-colored leafy ( Figure 2) [8]. In recent work [6], the botanical classification the genus Cichorium is reported and a detailed description of the most important cultivated biotypes is prese...

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Introduction: Fruits Objective: In the present study, evaluation of mineral contents (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, Cr, Si and Al) from peel, pulp and seeds of guavira was carried out. Method:The peel, pulp and seeds of guavira were studied by ICP-OES with microwave digestion. The contents of the elements in the parts of the guavira, were compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), values Adequate Intake (AI) and tolerable upper intake levels (ULs). Results:The results are considered in terms of the utility of the natural herbal medicaments as rich (Cu, P, Cr and Mo) or a source of minerals indispensable for proper functioning of the human organism. The concentration of elements in seeds, pulp and peel the guavira was compared with value of UL and does not cause toxicity. The concen-