EFEITO DE EXTRATOS DE Guazuma Ulmifolia Lam. EM CAMUNDONGOS EM USO DE DIETA HIPERLIPÍDICA

Abstract

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. also known as Chico-magro is a common plant in the Central-West region and has been used as a traditional medicine to treat metabolic dysfunctions, such as obesity, as it has biologically active compounds with therapeutic potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the stem bark of Guazuma ulmifolia on mice fed a high-fat diet, as well as to assess the chemical composition of these extracts. The chemical profile of the extracts was analyzed using liquid chromatography and the antioxidant potential was determined using the DPPH method. The acute toxicity test was carried out on female C57BL/6 mice, divided into 3 groups treated with water, ethanolic extract or aqueous extract of Guazuma ulmifolia at a dose of 2000mg/kg, via gavage. The presence of signs of toxicity was analyzed in the first hours after treatment and periodically for 14 days. For the experiment, 84 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 7 groups - control: AIN-93M diet and water (DN), Nuvilab® commercial diet and water (DC), high-fat diet and water (DH); and treatment groups: high-fat diet and ethanolic extract at a concentration of 25mg/kg (EE25) and 50mg/kg (EE50), aqueous extract at a concentration of 25mg/kg (EA25) and 50mg/kg (EA50). The animals received diet and water ad libitum and the respective treatments via gavage for a period of 8 weeks. The following parameters were assessed: body weight, food intake, visceral adiposity, liver and pancreas histology, lipid and glycemic profile, cytokine and hormone levels. In the chemical analysis of the extracts, the main secondary metabolites identified were phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins and 9 compounds were isolated, including gallocatechin, epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate. Compared to the ethanolic extract, the aqueous extract showed greater antioxidant capacity. The results of the toxicity test showed no signs of neurological or behavioral alterations or mortality in the animals. In the experimental study carried out, both extracts resulted in lower feed consumption in the animals, but did not influence weight gain or visceral adiposity and resulted in varying changes in the lipid profile. In addition, they did not influence glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity or fasting glycemia. In addition, leptin levels increased, which may have contributed to satiety, and at the same time a negative impact was observed on other inflammatory and hormonal parameters. Therefore, under the conditions of this study, the biologically active compounds present in the plant species Guazuma ulmifolia were not able to contribute to the treatment of metabolic alterations related to the consumption of a high-fat diet. It is therefore suggested that studies with different experimental conditions, such as other doses of the extracts and the duration of the experiment, be carried out in order to clarify the empirical use of this plant in the treatment of obesity and/or associated comorbidities.