Rationale: Propolis has a great diversity in its composition due to numerous factors; therefore, each study is an important contribution to the knoFwledge of its composition and biological action. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical profile and biological activity of propolis produced by Scaptotrigona depilis.Methods: Extracts with 70% ethanol (EPE70) and with cereal alcohol (CAPE) were elaborated, and then characterized using UHPLC-ESI(+)-MS/MS. Volatile compounds were extracted and then characterized using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, antimicrobial activities were verified against resistant strains. Results:The volatile compounds of propolis predominantly consist of sesquiterpenes. Using the exploratory metabolomic approach, compounds of different classes were putatively identified in the ethanolic extracts, of which the most representative were terpenes, and some of the sesquiterpenes identified among the volatiles were also detected. The extracts were shown to be active against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.5 and 1.0 mg mL À1 , respectively. Conclusions:The molecular network approach proved to be determining the chemical profile of S. depilis propolis rapidly and accurately, and led to the identification of lipophilic compounds. The identification of compounds using GC-MS and UHPLC-ESI(+)-MS/MS is complementary and useful for the characterization of propolis.

Our proposal in this study is that with vitamin D supplementation in obese animals, there willbe reductions in hepatic steatosis and control of blood glucose levels. Male wistar rats wereused (CEUA nº 5866200720). After 21 days of age, they were acclimatized until they were 30days old, from this date on, the obesity induction protocol was initiated, by means of thecafeteria diet. The animals were divided into 2 groups: rats fed a normal diet [control group(CTL n= 24)] another with a hypercaloric diet [obesity induction group (WD n=24)]. After 90days old, they were subdivided into two other groups: CTL-VD (n=12) and WD-VD (n=12)animals in which, were supplemented with vitamin D3 (5.600UI/week, 90 to 130 days old, bygavage). At 131 days old, WD rats exhibited a significantly higher adiposity index than CTLand WD-VD rats. The WD-VD rats had a significantly lower adiposity index than WD rats.The hepatic steatosis was confirmed by biochemical measurements of the total liver lipidcontent increased in WD rats 5% of the liver weight. Vit D3 supplementation decreased BWgain, and reduction of the total lipid total liver in WD-VD rats. The glycemic curve wasperformed and the WD animals showed higher values ​​in the first 15 minutes than the CTLanimals. The WD-VD animals presented normal values ​​of the area under the curve, in relationto the WD. Vit D supplementation showed that there is a relationship between increasedadipose tissue and circulating vitamin D levels. Supplementation of VD3 attenuated hepaticsteatosis.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder related to several comorbidities. Recent studies found that thehydroethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica seeds inhibits the absorption of sugar and fat inthe intestine. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of this extract on the fat weight and liverlipid profile of obese mice induced by a high-calorie diet. 21-day-old male Swiss mice weredivided into control (standard diet) and cafeteria (high-calorie diet) groups. After certifyingthat cafeteria groups were glucose intolerant (90 days after the onset of high-calorie diet),some obese animals were orally treated (gavage) with the hydroethanolic extract of T. indicaseeds (500 mg/Kg) for 30 days. The animals were euthanized, and the liver and the body fatswere collected. Obese animals showed an increase in all fats' weight and liver lipid content.Treatment decreased epididymal (47%), retroperitoneal (55%), mesenteric (27%), and brown(14%) fat weight. In addition, the extract of T indica seed reduced the levels of triglycerides(42%) and total cholesterol (30%) in the liver. We conclude that hydroethanolic extract of T.indica seeds can be a potential preparation for treating and management of obesity.

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The alkaloid boldine occurs in the Chilean boldo tree (Peumus boldus). It acts as a free radical scavenger and controls glycemia in diabetic rats. Various mechanisms have been proposed for this effect, including inhibited glucose absorption, stimulated insulin secretion, and increased expression of genes involved in glycemic control. Direct effects on glucose synthesis and degradation were not yet measured. To fill this gap, the present study is aimed at ensuring several metabolic pathways linked to glucose metabolism (e.g., gluconeogenesis) in the isolated perfused rat liver. In order to address mechanistic issues, energy transduction in isolated mitochondria and activities of gluconeogenic key enzymes in tissue preparations were also measured. Boldine diminished mitochondrial ROS generation, with no effect on energy transduction in isolated mitochondria. It inhibited, however, at least three enzymes of the gluconeogenic pathway, namely, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose-bisphosphatase-1, and glucose 6-phosphatase, starting at concentrations below 50 μM. Consistently, in the perfused liver, boldine decreased lactate-, alanine-, and fructose-driven gluconeogenesis with IC 50 values of 71.9, 85.2, and 83.6 μM, respectively. Conversely, the compound also increased glycolysis from glycogen-derived glucosyl units. The hepatic ATP content was not affected by boldine. It is proposed that the direct inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis by boldine, combined with the increase of glycolysis, could be an important event behind the diminished hyperglycemia observed in boldine-treated diabetic rats.

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease characterized by plasma hyperglycemia. One of theways of treatment of diabetes is the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase. However, drugsavailable in the market carry out a range of side effects. Therefore, the present work aimed toevaluate the effect of tamarind waste (skin and seed) rejected by the food industry on theactivity of pancreatic α-amylase. Hydroethanolic extract (70%) of tamarind skin and seedwere prepared, lyophilized, and used in a concentration curve on the α-amylase activity by 3,5dinitro-salicylate assay. Kinetic analysis was performed simultaneously varying both substrate(starch) and extracts. Statistical analyses were carried out by Scientist Program. Both extracts(skin and seed) reduced the enzymatic activity in a concentration dependence way. However,the seed extract reported a bigger strength of inhibition, as revealed by IC 50 of 13,26 µg/mL,compared to IC 50 of 470,16 µg/mL for skin extract. Kinect studies showed that the seedextract presented an enzymatic inhibition of parabolic and non-competitive type (KI 1 10,07µg/mL e KI 2 10,37 µg/mL). Conversely, skin extract performed a mixed linear inhibition (KI 1615,78 µg/mL e KI 2 411,01 µg/mL). We concluded that tamarind waste, mainly seed extract,can be considered preparation with therapeutic potential for the management and treatment ofdiabetes.

Boldine is an alkaloid widely found in boldo leaves. Recent studies have determined itspotential effect on glycemic and lipidemia control. Because of this, the objective of this workwas to evaluate the effect of boldine on body composition and carbohydrate metabolism inobese mice induced by a high-calorie diet. 21-day-old male Swiss mice were divided intocontrol (standard diet), cafeteria (high-calorie diet) and treatment (boldine 20mg/Kg) groups.After 90 days of treatment, the animals were euthanized, the liver was collected, andepididymal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric and brown fats were weighed. Obese animalsincreased body and fat weight, but boldine treatment decreased body weight (17%) andabdominal circumference (15%) and reduced retroperitoneal (66%) and mesenteric (33%) fatweight. Obesity altered the activity of glucokinase and glucose 6-phosphatase in the liver.However, the treatment decreased glucose 6-phosphatase activity (30%) and increasedglucokinase activity (43%). We conclude that boldine can be a potential preparation for themanagement and treating obesity.