Pre-clinical evidence for the therapeutic effect of Pitaya (Hylocereus lemairei) on diabetic intestinal microenvironment

Abstract

Intestinal glucose absorption plays a central role in the regulation of glucose plasmatic; however, current clinical management does not target the gut for treating diabetes. This study evaluated the effects of peel and pulp aqueous extract from Hylocereus lemairei on human enterocytes under high glucose concentration. Anti-hyperglycemic and antiobesity activities in vitro were also evaluated. Extracts did not cause cytotoxicity at 1 to 500 μg/mL. Moreover, they were effective in attenuating oxidative stress (DCFH-DA assay) and inflammation (^•ON production) caused by high glucose. Intestinal enzymes (α- glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) were inhibited by pulp and peel extracts (>60% and >95%, respectively). Extracts exhibited a redox capacity superior to ascorbic and chlorogenic acids, presenting high phenolic content, mainly anthocyanins. The main compounds for both extracts were chlorogenic acid and naringin, and peel stood both qualitatively and quantitatively. Data suggest red Pitaya has potential as a new medicine for diabetes.

Keywords:

• Enterocytes
• hypoglycemic agents
• plant extracts
• inflammation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordenação de Apoio de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). The authors thank UCS Writing Center for the grammatical revision of this paper.