Therapeutic Potential of Brazilian Cerrado Campomanesia Species on Metabolic Dysfunctions

Abstract

Obesity, in conjunction with other metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, is a feature of metabolic syndrome which is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state and increased oxidative stress. Therefore, antioxidant foods are proposed to prevent and treat these disorders. Medicinal plants are one of the main strategies in this regard. Guavira, a Brazilian Cerrado plant, contains different bioactive compounds with a high antioxidant capacity and without clinical or reproductive toxicity effects. Though there are different varieties of guavira, the principal Brazilian Cerrado guaviras demonstrated hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic actions. There is also a potential antiplatelet agent in C. xanthocarpa, while C. adamantium displayed hypocholesterolemic actions in animal models and human clinical trials. On the other hand, even with a lack of studies related to C. pubescens, it demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and an antioxidant capacity in in vitro studies. Despite the fact that most of the studies were not performed to evaluate pathological conditions specific to obese animal models or obese subjects, guavira demonstrated effects in metabolic disorders that are commonly related to the obesity context, such as cardiovascular disturbances and hyperglycemia status. This suggests that guavira is a potential therapeutic approach to obesity-induced metabolic syndrome.

Nanophytomedicines for the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome: A Pharmacological and Biopharmaceutical Review

“…The main mechanisms of medicinal plants for managing MetS are presented in Figure 2. In spite of the promising effects of medicinal plants to manage MetS and its complications, due to a low bioavailability, their bioactivity is diminished (El-Far et al, 2016;Hassani et al, 2016;Cardozo et al, 2018;Firouzi et al, 2018;Hosseini et al, 2018;Tajmohammadi et al, 2018). One of the promising ways for the improvement of bioavailability, stability, solubility, and biodistribution of natural products is formulating these compounds in nanostructured forms (Gera et al, 2017).…”

Effect of Supplementation with Hydroethanolic Extract of Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Berg.) Leaves and Two Isolated Substances from the Extract on Metabolic Parameters of Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

“…Most studies that evaluate the actions of C. xanthocarpa in common metabolic disturbances that could be associated with obesity were not performed in diet-induced obese (DIO) animal models [15]. The present study is the first to compare the effects of C. xanthocarpa hydroethanolic leaf extract (Ext) and two isolated substances from the extract, Figure 6.…”

“…Most studies that evaluate the actions of C. xanthocarpa in common metabolic disturbances that could be associated with obesity were not performed in diet-induced obese (DIO) animal models [15]. The present study is the first to compare the effects of C. xanthocarpa hydroethanolic leaf extract (Ext) and two isolated substances from the extract, 2 ,4 -dihydroxy-3 ,5 -dimethyl-6 -methoxychalcone (S1; chalcone) and 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-8-methylflavanone (S2; flavanone) in HFD-fed mice to evaluate whether a multitargeted approach may be more effective as a therapeutic strategy than using isolated compounds.…”

“…Campomanesia xanthocarpa (C. xanthocarpa), which belongs to the Myrtaceae family, is found in the Brazilian Cerrado and is used in Brazilian popular medicine for its antiulcerogenic [12], anti-inflammatory [10], antidiarrheal, and antimicrobial activity [13], and antioxidant potential [14]. A previous study by our group demonstrated that some C. xanthocarpa extracts were able to influence the metabolic dysfunctions commonly associated with obesity conditions [15]; in the present study, we observed that few studies so far have evaluated the effects of C. xanthocarpa extracts, such as by using leaf aqueous extracts [16,17] in animal models fed with diets that promote metabolic disturbances.…”

Medicinal plants of the brazilian cerrado: knowing to preserve

“…Many of these plants have scientificallyproven medicinal effects. For instance, the study by Cardozo et al (2018) listed the soursop (Annona muricata) for treating ulcers, the macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) for controlling diabetes and improving diuresis, the baru seeds (Dipteryxalata alata) for improving lipid and atherogenic profiles, and the pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties.…”