title: Pectin from Passiflora edulis shows anti-inflammatory action as well as hypoglycemic and hypotriglyceridemic properties in diabetic rats.
abstract: Flour made from Passiflora edulis fruit peel has been used in Brazil to treat diabetes. This study evaluated the effects of pectin from P. edulis on rats with alloxan-induced diabetes, on myeloperoxidase release from human neutrophils, and on carrageenan-induced paw edema. In the experiments on carrageenan-induced paw edema, paws were dissected for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry determinations of tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: diabetic controls and diabetic treated with pectin daily for 5 days (0.5-25 mg/kg orally). Glibenclamide and metformin were used as reference drugs. Forty-eight hours after alloxan administration, blood measures were determined (before treatment) and again 5 days later (after treatment). Pectin decreased blood glucose and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats. Pectin also decreased edema volume and release of myeloperoxidase (0.1-100 μg/mL). It also significantly decreased neutrophil infiltration and partially decreased immunostaining for tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase. In conclusion, these data indicated that pectin, a bioactive compound present in P. edulis, has potential as a useful alternative treatment for type 2 diabetes. Its anti-inflammatory properties are probably involved in its antidiabetic action.
authors.affiliation: 1  Federal University of Ceará , Fortaleza, Brazil.
authors.forename: Draulio C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Ana L P
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Carla D S
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Pessoa
authors.forename: Regina C M
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Paula
authors.forename: Jacilane X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Mesquita
authors.forename: Luzia K A M
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: Gerly A C
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.forename: Danilo O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Glauce S B
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Viana
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000009:adverse effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005905:Glyburide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D029598:Passiflora / Q000737:chemistry*; D010368:Pectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D010368:Pectins; D002351:Carrageenan; D008687:Metformin; D009195:Peroxidase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005905:Glyburide