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In this study, the chemical characterization and the antioxidant activity of the red (Psidium cattleianum) and yellow (P. cattleianum var. lucidum Hort.) strawberry guava fruits were investigated. This is important for potential application of strawberry guava as functional food. Moreover, it may be the experimental basis for further development and use in food industry.

BackgroundA phytotherapic compound containing Pimpinella anisum L., Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Sambucus nigra L., and Cassia augustifolia is largely used in Brazil for the treatment of constipation. However, the laxative efficacy of the compound has never been tested in a randomized clinical trial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the product.MethodsThis randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled, single-blinded trial included 20 patients presenting with chronic constipation according to the criteria of the American Association of Gastroenterology. The order of treatments was counterbalanced across subjects: half of the subjects received the phytotherapic compound for a 5-day period, whereas the other half received placebo for the same period. Both treatment periods were separated by a 9-day washout period followed by the reverse treatment for another 5-day period. The primary endpoint was colonic transit time (CTT), measured radiologically. Secondary endpoints included number of evacuations per day, perception of bowel function, adverse effects, and quality of life.ResultsMean CTT assessed by X ray was 15.7 hours (95%CI 11.1-20.2) in the active treatment period and 42.3 hours (95%CI 33.5-51.1) during the placebo treatment (p < 0.001). Number of evacuations per day increased during the use of active tea; significant differences were observed as of the second day of treatment (p < 0.001). Patient perception of bowel function was improved (p < 0.01), but quality of life did not show significant differences among the study periods. Except for a small reduction in serum potassium levels during the active treatment, no significant differences were observed in terms of adverse effects throughout the study period.ConclusionsThe findings of this randomized controlled trial allow to conclude that the phytotherapic compound assessed has laxative efficacy and is a safe alternative option for the treatment of constipation.Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov NCT00872430

Fruits of Myrcianthes pungens Berg. Legr. (Myrtaceae), known as guabiju, are widely consumed fresh as well as dried, processed into jam, marmalade, and juices. In this study, chemical composition and antichemotactic and antioxidant activities of fruits from a wild type (GB) and 2 genotypes, PL2 and PL1, of guabiju were investigated. Total anthocyanins for the genotypes ranged from 334 to 531 mg/100 g dry weight (dwt). Total flavonoids and polyphenols ranged from 79.8 to 154 mg/100 g and 2438 to 4613 mg/100 g (dwt), respectively. A reversed phase liquid chromatography method with photodiode array detection was used to determine chemical profiles of the main anthocyanins found in the extracts. An HPLC method for the quantification of flavonoids is proposed, providing a simple procedure with rapid sample preparation. All samples contained 5 identical anthocyanidins, distributed differently, with cyanidin as the main compound. Identified flavonoids were quercitrin, hyperoside, and isoquercitrin; their relative amounts varied among the extracts. The antioxidant activity of guabiju methanolic extract was comparable to that of Trolox, and at a test concentration of 0.25 mg/mL, GB and PL2 activities were higher than those exhibited by Trolox. Total dry extracts of guabiju exhibited greater inhibition of chemotaxis at a concentration of 4 μg/mL, except for GBH (wild-type hydrolyzed extract) which already presented high values at a concentration of 2 μg/mL. These results suggest that the consumption of this fruit, rich in polyphenols, may be beneficial to human health. Practical Application: The paper is the first attempt on the improvement of this native fruit, since it is widely consumed regularly as part of the South American diet. The content of phenolic compounds demonstrates that consumption of guabiju would be beneficial to human health. Differences among samples, originating from open pollination of plants growing on the same site, lead to the conclusion that improvements can be made in the chemical composition and beneficial activity of guabiju fruits by simply selecting genotypes for these characteristics among open-pollinated seedlings.

Bauhinia belongs to the Caesalpinaceae, a plant family that comprises approximately 250 species.1) Native peoples from tropical regions use Bauhinia leaves and bark as medicine in infusions and other phytotherapic preparations. 2,3)Some native Bauhinia species in Brazil are known as "patade-vaca" (cow's hoof) and are widely used in folk medicine to treat various ailments, mainly infections and diabetes. Some reports have demonstrated positive effects on factors related to diseases and pathological states.2-5) Bauhinia microstachya (RADDI) MACBR. (Caesalpinaceae) is a creeper plant that occurs naturally in southern Brazil where is popularly known as "escada-de-macaco" (monkey's ladder). B. microstachya is often cultivated in small areas and its leaves are used as herbal antidiabetic medicine. Traditionally the leaf infusion or garrafada (a preparation with cachaça-the popular local sugar cane brandy-and leaves) is drunk after meals to help control blood sugar levels and other diabetic disorders. Phytochemical investigations with B. microstachya leaves have identified compounds such as steroidal glycosides, triterpenes, lactones and phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids. [6][7][8] Plant phenolics form a large group of natural compounds, ubiquitous in the plant kingdom. It is known that these secondary metabolites display a remarkable array of biochemical interactions, probably due to antioxidant properties. 9)These substances may act as potent metal chelators and/or free radical scavengers, 10) however, it has been reported that the performance of these compounds in oxidative systems depends on activity-structure relationships.11,12) As an unfortunate consequence of aerobic life, free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed by biological redox reactions.13) The role of free radicals reactions in biology and medicine has become an area of intense interest due to their relationship to chronic diseases.13) It is generally accepted that free radicals play an important role in the development of tissue damage and pathological events in living organisms.13) Lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids can be oxidized by free radical-mediated reactions. In addition, when oxygen is supplied in excess or their reduction is insufficient, this generates endogenous ROS imbalance with formation of hydroxyl ( · OH) and superoxide (O 2 · Ϫ ) radicals.13) In inflammation and endothelial damage, NO plays a major role as precursor of peroxynitrite (ONOO Ϫ ).14) If the endogenous response system, such as antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), is inadequate in scavenging ROS, damage to important macromolecules can be established and generate cellular oxidative stress.13) In addition, the non-enzymatic antioxidants (such as vitamin C, vitamin E and phenolic compounds found in a vegetable-rich diet) play a significant role in the physiological redox balance together with enzymatic defenses. 13)Considering the increasing interest in antioxidants, the potential antioxidant effects of pheno...