Pequi Oil, a MUFA/Carotenoid‐Rich Oil, Exhibited Protective Effects against DSS‐Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) affect the gastrointestinal tract, and the imbalance of intestinal immune homeostasis can trigger them. Pequi oil (PO), a monounsaturated (MUFA) and carotenoid-rich food with nutraceutical potential, could help reshape the intestinal immune response, ameliorating IBD outcomes. This study investigates the effects of a 28 days intake of PO on elements of the intestinal immune response of mice with DSS-induced ulcerative colitis (disease activity index, colonic damage, inflammatory cells and markers). PO reduces body weight, colonic crypt and goblet cell losses and ameliorates diarrhea. In the colon, it increases T cells and secretory-IgA and decreases CD8+T cells. In lymphoid organs, it reduces CD8+T cells. Moreover, it also reduces the IL-17 and CRP in plasma. PO oil promotes a less cytotoxic response that may protect mice from immunological injuries caused by an IBD in the intestinal mucosa, improving the disease prognosis. Practical applications: This study demonstrates that the intake of pequi oil contributes to the regulation of immune response and improves clinical and histological signs of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. Its effects in cytotoxic cell reduction and other inflammatory markers and stimulation of regulatory cells, and preservation of mucus-producing cells, provide news insights about the importance of the regular intake of this food to better prognosis of ulcerative colitis acute episodes. In addition, these findings encourage further studies with foods with a protective potential for the intestinal mucosa.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pequi Oil (Caryocar brasiliense): A Systematic Review

“…The pequi oil used in these studies was primarily extracted through solvent methods ( n = 4) [ 13 , 15 , 16 , 20 ], boiling ( n = 1) [ 6 ], cold-pressed/centrifugation ( n = 4) [ 6 , 14 , 17 , 19 ], and in two cases, the extraction method was not specified [ 12 , 18 ]. Additionally, some studies assessed the oil’s characteristics by analyzing the lipid profile ( n = 9) and other metabolites ( n = 7).…”

Potential Challenges of the Extraction of Carotenoids and Fatty Acids from Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) Oil

“…Ribeiro et al [45] described that β-carotene is the primary carotenoid in pequi oil, corresponding to 50% of its composition. Moreno et al [58] found more carotenoids in pequi pulp oil, nearly four times (549.84 µg of β-carotene/g of pequi oil) that found in pequi pulp (137.6 µg of β-carotene/g of pulp). Extractions performed at low temperatures favored obtaining an enriched β-carotene oil fraction due to the thermosensitivity of the pigment.…”

Evaluation of Biocompatibility, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antinociceptive Activities of Pequi Oil-Based Nanoemulsions in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

“…The carrageenan-induced edema in vivo assay is traditionally used for screening and development of new compounds, and it is one of the most popular tests used due to its high sensitivity and reproducibility for anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs [ 20 , 36 ]. Fixed natural oils, such as pequi oil, have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory, anti-edema, and antinociceptive activities [ 5 , 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Junior and co-workers [ 5 ] have described significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of free pequi oil with a single oral administration with doses of 700 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively.…”

“…Several studies have described the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of free pequi oil in different models [ 5 , 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Interestingly, to the best of our knowledge, only one study has evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of a nanostructured pequi oil in an in vivo model [ 6 ].…”