Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 40488191 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70384
Caryocar brasiliense Camb. Fruit Improves Health and Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Food Sci Nutr 13(6):e70384
Authors: Laura Costa Alves de Araújo, Natasha Rios Leite, Paola Dos Santos da Rocha, Alex Santos Oliveira, Daniel Ferreira Leite, Isabella Giunco Estigarribia, Matheus Henrique Franco Alves, Alércio da Silva Soutilha, Helder Freitas Dos Santos, Debora da Silva Baldivia, Nelson Carvalho Farias Junior, Danielle Araujo Agarrayua, Daiana Silva de Ávila, Jaqueline Ferreira Campos, Kely de Picoli Souza, Edson Lucas Dos Santos
Affiliations
- Research Group on Biotechnology and Bioprospecting Applied to Metabolism and Cancer (GEBBAM) Federal University of Grande Dourados Dourados Mato Grosso do Sul Brazil.
- Research Group in Biochemistry and Toxicology in Caenorhabditis elegans Federal University of Pampa Uruguaiana Rio Grande do Sul Brazil.
Abstract
The Caryocar brasiliense Camb. is a native Brazilian Cerrado species, considered the symbol of this biome. This tree produces a fruit known as pequi, which is much appreciated in Brazilian traditional culinary and is also used in popular medicine. However, there is still limited knowledge about the pharmaceutical potential of the fruit of C. brasiliense. In this study, we evaluated the bioactive compounds present in the lyophilized fruit pulp of C. brasiliense (CBFP) and investigated its antioxidant properties in vitro and in vivo, as well as its effects on models of Alzheimer's disease and longevity. As a main result, we revealed that CBFP presented phenolic and flavonoid constituents, lipophilic compounds, and ascorbic acid. The in vitro antioxidant activity was observed through free radical scavenging and DNA protection against oxidative damage. In the in vivo life quality assay, no signs of CBFP-induced toxicity were observed, and nematode viability and reproductive capacity remained unaltered. Furthermore, CBFP treatment delayed paralysis in the Alzheimer's disease mutant strain and improved locomotor capacity during aging in the wild-type strain. CBFP increased the lifespan of C. elegans and enhanced resistance to oxidative and heat stresses. Together, our findings demonstrate that CBFP exhibited beneficial effects on healthspan, attributed to its antioxidant properties and the regulation of oxidative stress.
MeSH
Ascorbic Acid, Stress, Physiological, Fruit, Antioxidants, Flavonoids, Lycopene