Researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil looked at the anti-inflammatory properties and bioactive compounds of the aqueous extract of the fruits of mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes). In their study, which was published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, they suggested that mangabeira could be used to treat inflammatory diseases.

• Mangabeira is a fruit plant native to Brazil. Its fruits have been used to treat ulcers, tuberculosis, and inflammatory disorders in traditional medicine.
• The researchers collected the extracts of mangabeira from its mature fruits.
• They conducted a phytochemical analysis of the mangabeira fruit extract.
• They tested the effects of mangabeira fruit extract on mice models with xylol-induced ear edema, carrageenan-induced peritonitis, and zymosan-induced air pouch. These served as inflammatory models for the study.
• Results revealed that the extract contains chlorogenic acid and rutin.
• The aqueous extract of mangabeira fruits, as well as chlorogenic acid and rutin, substantially inhibited the xylol-induced ear edema.
• Cell migration in the carrageenan-induced peritonitis and zymosan-induced air pouch models were also reduced.
• The mangabeira treatment also reduced the levels of cytokines.
• These results suggest that the bioactive compounds chlorogenic acid and rutin may contribute to inflammation management, adding to the anti-inflammatory effect of mangabeira fruits.

The researchers concluded that the aqueous extract of mangabeira fruits has an anti-inflammatory effect in animal models.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

To read more stories on healing foods like mangabeira, visit Fruits.news today.

Journal Reference:

Torres-Rêgo M, Furtado AA, Bitencourt MAO, de Souza Lima MCJ, de Andrade RCLC, de Azevedo EP, da Cunha Soares T, Tomaz JC, Lopes NP, da Silva-Junior AA, … Fernandes-Pedrosa MF. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT AND BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IDENTIFIED FROM THE FRUITS OF HANCORNIA SPECIOSA GOMES (APOCYNACEAE). BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 5 June 2016; 16(275). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1259-x