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- Sweet cherries from Fundão possess antidiabetic potential and protect human erythrocytes against oxidative damagePublication . Gonçalves, Ana C.; Bento, Catarina Pereira; Silva, Branca M.; Silva, Luís R.Cherries are one of the most appreciated summer fruits due to their attractive colour, sweet taste, high water content, low level of calories and composition in bioactive compounds which, in turn, are important to prevent some pathologies like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In this work we evaluated the phenolic profile and biological potential of 5 varieties of sweet cherries from Fundão region (Portugal) (Saco, Sweetheart, Satin, Maring and Hedelfinger). A total of 23 phenolic compounds were identified by LC-DAD and distributed by the several classes: 6 anthocyanins, 1 hydroxybenzoic acid, 8 hydroxycinnamic acids, 3 flavan-3-ols and 5 flavonols. Maring revealed higher contents in anthocyanins, while Hedelfinger was the richest in non-coloured phenolics. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated against DPPH and nitric oxide radicals. Hedelfinger was the most active against DPPH• (IC50=12.1μg/mL) and Maring against nitric oxide (IC50=140.9μg/mL). Afterwards, antidiabetic capacity was evaluated through the inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, pointing Hedelfinger as the most active (IC50=10.3μg/mL). The capacity of Saco extracts to inhibit the hemoglobin oxidation and the hemolysis of human erythrocytes was also evaluated. Both assays revealed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect (IC50=38.6μg/mL and IC50=73.0μg/mL, respectively). The results obtained in this study allow us to conclude that sweet cherries possess a great biological potential, and further investigation should be done to promote commercialization and encourage its use in food supplements and in new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
- Peach from Cova da Beira as Health PromotorsPublication . Bento, Catarina Pereira; Silva, Branca Maria Cardoso Monteiro da; Silva, Luis Rodrigues daThe peach’s chemical constitution comprises various antioxidant compounds such as phenolic compounds (flavonoids and non-flavonoids) carotenoids and vitamin C. Their properties have been object of investigation in many areas, proving to have preventive and protective effects against many chronic and age-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, inflammation, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and oncologic diseases. In this work we evaluate the phenolic profile and biological potential of six peach cultivars (Summer Rich, Fidelia, Royal Glory, Royal Magister, Royal Lu and Sweet Dreams) from Fundão region (Portugal), thus establishing its potential role as a health promotor. The LC-DAD analysis revealed a total of 3 anthocyanins with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside as the main one; and 14 non-colored phenolic compounds which include one hydroxybenzoic acid, eight hydroxycinnamic acids, three flavan-3-ols and three flavonol, chlorogenic and neo-chlorogenic acids are the most abundant, as well as some catechin derivatives. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by FRAP assay and against DPPH and NO radicals. The in vitro assays revealed a good antioxidant activity. Fidelia (13.8 µM Fe2+) presented the major antioxidant power in FRAP, Royal Lu proved to be the most active against DPPH• (IC50 = 62.1 ±1.5 µg/mL), and Sweet Dreams was the most active against NO radical (IC50 = 421.2 ± 45.4 µg/mL). Regarding the a-glucosidase inhibitory activity, Royal Magister and Royal Glory present the highest activity (IC50 = 11.7 ± 1.4 and 17.1 ± 1.7 µg/mL, respectively). Finally, the protective effect of Royal Lu to prevent oxidative damage in human erythrocytes induced by ROO• was performed. Royal Lu proved to be quite efficient with promising results, showing an IC50 value of 110.0 ± 4.5 µg/mL and IC50 at 83.8 ± 6.5 µg/mL for hemolysis and hemoglobin oxidation inhibition. Thus, peach may be considered a promising source of bioactive compounds to be used by the food and pharmaceutical industries, once the inhibition of oxidative mechanisms by antioxidant compounds is a fundamental property that can reduce oxidative stress associated with various diseases.