Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. Pulp Oil Supplementation Reduces Total Cholesterol, LDL-c, and Non-HDL-c in Animals

Abstract

The fruit of Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. is a source of oil with active compounds that are protective to the organism. In our work, we analyzed the physicochemical characteristics and evaluated the effects of supplementation with C. brasiliense oil in an animal model. We characterized the oil by indices of quality and identity, optical techniques of absorption spectroscopy in the UV-Vis region and fluorescence, and thermogravimetry/derived thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). For the animal experiment, we utilized mice (Mus musculus) supplemented with lipidic source in different dosages. The results demonstrated that C. brasiliense oil is an alternative source for human consumption and presents excellent oxidative stability. Primarily, it exhibited oleic MFA (53.56%) and palmitic SFA (37.78%). The oil level of tocopherols and tocotrienols was superior to the carotenoids. The supplementation with C. brasiliense oil reduced the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-c, and non-HDL-c. Regarding visceral fats and adiposity index, the treatment synergically supplemented with olive oil and C. brasiliense oil (OO + CO) obtained the best result. Therefore, C. brasiliense oil is a high quality product for consumption. Its supplementation promotes beneficial effects mainly on the lipidic profile.

Keywords: fatty acids; natural products; pequi.

Figure 1

Molecular absorption spectra of Caryocar brasiliense oil, obtained at 200–600 nm.

Figure 2

Excitation–emission map of Caryocar brasiliense oil obtained by exciting between 200 and 400 nm and in the emission 250 and 600 nm range. (a) Caryocar brasiliense oil at 5 × 10⁻³ g mL⁻¹ concentration; (b) Undiluted Caryocar brasiliense oil.

Figure 3

Thermogravimetry/derivate thermogravimetry (TGA/DTG). Curves of Caryocar brasiliense oil.

Figure 4

Electrical conductivity versus time determined by the Rancimat method in Caryocar brasiliense oil.

Figure 5

Effects of supplementation from different lipid source on anti- and proinflammatory cytokines. (a) Interleukin-6; (b) Interleukin-10; (c) Monocyte-1 chemotactic protein; (d) Tumor necrosis factor alpha. CG indicates control group, supplemented with soybean oil (1000 mg/kg); OO1 and OO2 groups receiving olive oil (1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, respectively); CO1 and CO2 groups supplemented with Caryocar brasiliense oil (1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, respectively); and OO + CO group receiving olive oil (1000 mg/kg) with C. brasiliense oil (1000 mg/kg). ANOVA: one-way analysis of variance.

Figure 6

Intervention protocol of the supplementation with Caryocar brasiliense oil. CG indicates control group, supplemented with soybean oil (1000 mg/kg); OO1 and OO2 groups receiving olive oil (1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, respectively); CO1 and CO2 groups supplemented with C. brasiliense oil (1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, respectively); and OO + CO group receiving olive oil (1000 mg/kg) with C. brasiliense oil (1000 mg/kg).