Characterization and bioavailability of ellagic acid derivatives from jaboticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba).

Author(s)

Marcela Roquim Alezandro

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2013-08-19

Examining board members

Maria Ines Genovese Rodriguez; Franco Maria Lajolo; Mario Roberto Marostica Junior

• Advisor: Maria Ines Genovese Rodriguez

Abstract

Ellagic acid is a phenolic compound present in several fruits and nuts. Walnuts and berries are some known sources. Among the Brazilian native fruits, jaboticaba shows ellagic acid content comparable to that of berries. In addition, jaboticaba is a good source of flavonoids and stands out due to its appreciated flavor and the large number of fruits produced in each flowering. In this way, this work aimed to characterize two species of jaboticaba, Sabará and Paulista (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg and Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg), in different ripening stages, as well as pulp, skin and seeds, in relation to the content and composition of flavonoids, free and total ellagic acid, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins and in vitro antioxidant capacity. Besides, evaluate the effect of raw extract and solid-phase purified phenolic fractions from Sabará jaboticaba administration on antioxidante status and biochemical profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The jaboticaba phenolic fractions were also tested on high-fat-diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes in C57BL/6 mice. The effect of phenolic fractions on glucose transport in L6 muscle cells and nitric oxide production in FAO hepatocytes and J774 macrophages were also assessed. The bioavailability of polyphenols from jaboticaba were studied using in vitro and in vivo methods. The results indicated that the phenolic compounds contents are different between the two species, and among the different ripening stages. Sabará species presented the highest amounts of proanthocyanidins and total ellagic acid, and the highest antioxidant capacity. For being the most cultivated and consumed, this species was chosen for the in vivo studies. In cell cultures, the jaboticaba extracts inhibited the nitric oxide production in macrophages and hepatocytes, and increased glucose uptake in L6 muscle cells. In streptozotocin induced diabetic animals, treatment with jaboticaba led to improvement in lipid profile, reducing the levels of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol. Reduction in lipid peroxidation and increase in antioxidant capacity were also observed. In high-fat-diet induced diabetic mice, the phenolic fractions improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, even when mice become obese. The bioavailability study revealed that the ellagic acid derivatives and other jaboticaba polyphenols were metabolized, especially by the colonic microbiota, and their metabolites were detected in plasma, colon, kidneys, liver, brain, muscle, and stomach. These results demonstrated that jaboticaba may be considered an excellent source of bioactive compounds, and its consumption can be related to reduced risk of metabolic disorders caused by diabetes and obesity, such as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/01775-0 - Characterization and bioavailability of ellagic acid derivates of jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba)
• Grantee: Marcela Roquim Alezandro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate