Abstract
Abstract The objective was to evaluate whether the juice from the leaves of cacti of three species of the genus Pereskia promotes changes in the physiological parameters of Wistar rats. The study was divided into stage 1 (obesity induction with a hypercaloric diet, monosodium glutamate, and sucrose solution), and stage 2 (use of cactus juice). The data of body weight, Body Mass and Lee Indexes, feed intake, adipose tissue mass, and Visceral and Epididymal Fat Indexes were compared by the Tukey test at 5%. Monosodium glutamate and sucrose in association with the hypercaloric diet did not increase adipose tissues. No statistical difference was found between the means of body weight, Body Mass Index and Lee Index, liver weight, and Hepatosomatic Index. Pereskia grandifolia juice promoted a lower total weight gain due to the low feed intake. Pereskia aculeata juice increased the visceral adipose tissue mass. Thus, the Pereskia grandifolia juice presented a better effect on weight gain. These cacti are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds that can improve food quality, and prevent chronic non-communicable diseases.
Highlights
Obesity is a worldwide public health problem, whose main causal factors are genetics, the environment with the intake of foods rich in lipids and carbohydrates, and sedentary behavior[1]
Monosodium glutamate and sucrose in association with the hypercaloric diet did not induce obesity, as the adipose tissue means showed no statistical difference between H and HW groups
Pereskia grandifolia juice promoted a lower total weight gain as a result of low feed intake, suggesting higher satiety, which may contribute to the prevention and/or treatment of obesity
Summary
Obesity is a worldwide public health problem, whose main causal factors are genetics, the environment with the intake of foods rich in lipids and carbohydrates, and sedentary behavior[1]. Hypercaloric diets made with highly palatable foods such as chocolates, nuts, and condensed milk, which are rich in lipids and carbohydrates, are used to induce obesity in experimental models[3]. These diets are called cafeteria diet and can induce obesity in rats[4], due to their physiological and metabolic similarity to humans[5]. Plants of the genus Pereskia, belonging to the family Cactaceae, are native to the Brazilian flora and are found from the state of Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul[9,10]
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