Evaluation of antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo Guarana (Paullinia cupana)

Author(s)

Carolina de Aguiar Martins

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
• Defense date: 2010-12-06

Examining board members

Elizabeth Aparecida Ferraz da Silva Torres; Liania Alves Luzia; Sandra Roberta Gouvea Ferreira Vivolo

• Advisor: Elizabeth Aparecida Ferraz da Silva Torres

Abstract

Introduction Studies indicate that antioxidants found naturally in some foods are capable of acting as protectors of living organisms against oxidative stress in macromolecules such as lipids and proteins and in DNA. Guarana (Paullinia cupana), a plant from Amazonia, contains high concentrations of tannins and caffeine, compounds with proven antioxidant activity. Despite the increase in consumption of guarana and studies linking their beneficial health effects, there is little information on its antioxidant properties in vivo. Objectives: investigate the effects of guarana consumption in humans. Methods: In vitro: guarana powder samples were analyzed for proximal composition; content of total phenolics (Folin- Ciocalteau) and antioxidant activity by DPPH assay were determined in samples extracted with water, methanol, ethanol 60 per cent and acetone 35 per cent. In vivo and ex vivo: blood samples from healthy volunteers (n = 12) were collected at a twelve-hour overnight fast (J1) and 1h after consumption of the drink with guarana powder the second blood sample was collected (G1). After 15 days of daily ingestion of the drink other two samples were collected: a twelve-hour overnight fast (J15) and again after the first hour of drink consumption (G15). The resistance of LDL to ex vivo oxidation initiated by copper was evaluated. The total antioxidant status (TAS) and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were determined in plasma of volunteers. Comet assay was conducted to determine oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes of volunteers. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was determined in erythrocytes. ANOVA and test of Tukey were used to verify if there was significant differences in total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of samples extracted with different solvents. The verification of adherence to the normal curve were performed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Comparisons of variables of normal distribution for the paired samples were based on t test of Student. For all inferences the significance level was less than or equal to 5 per cent. For all these calculations the statistical program SPSS version 16.0 for Windows was used. Results: Significant increase in lag time of LDL oxidation was observed, both after one hour of consumption of the first dose of guarana powder and after one hour of consumption in the 15th day of intervention (G1> J1, G15> J15, p <0.05). The consumption of a single dose of guarana significantly increased the activity of Cat in the times G1 and G15 (p<0.05). After intervention with repeated doses during 15 days, there was a significantly increase in the activity of Cat and GPx in fasting of the last day intervention compared to baseline fasting (J15> J1, p<0.05). The consumption of guarana didnt influence the activity of SOD neither the TAS (p>0.05). The ORAC in plasma of volunteers and assessment of oxidative damage to DNA challenge with hydrogen peroxide showed the same behavior of the resistance of LDL to oxidation: only acute effect was observed by the consumption of the drink (G1> J1, G15> J15, p<0.05). It is suggested that the fractionation of the dose of guarana powder is more efficient than the consumption of a single dose on day to maintain the concentration of phenolic compounds in plasma to promote the consumption effects of repeated doses. The antioxidant effects by consumption of a single dose of guarana powder seem to extend beyond the time of clearance of phenolic compounds in plasma. New reserches are needed in order to evaluate the dose and duration of intervention for being observed effects in humans by ingestion of repeated doses of guarana (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/02063-1 - Assessment of antioxidant status in vivo and in vitro of guarana (Paullinia cupana)
• Grantee: Carolina de Aguiar Martins
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master