Abstracto

Effect of a formulation with nopal (Opuntia ficus indica), amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) and mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in a murine model of diet-induced cardiometabolic disruptions

Alejandra Romo-Araiza, Alejandro R

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the first cause of death in Mexican population. Metabolic disruptions induced by diet are, in turn, associated with CVD. Within treatment, functional foods, such as nopal, amaranth and mushrooms, may be incorporated in order to attenuate such cardio metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to develop nutritional bars based on three foods with beneficial potential to prevent cardio metabolic diseases due to the presence of important phytochemicals: nopal, amaranth and oyster mushroom. For this purpose, two experiments were carried out. First, four formulations for nutritional bars were elaborated based on the aforementioned foods. Proximate analysis, phenolic and flavonoid content were obtained for the four formulations; subsequently, the two that exhibited higher amounts of fiber, phenolic and flavonoid content were chosen for an in vivo experiment which aimed to evaluate the effect of those formulations on lipid profile, glycemia and body weight on a murine model of diet-induced cardio metabolic disruption. After two months of treatment, both formulation ssignificantly decreased body weight and triacyglycerol levels in rats fed with the functional bars (p<0.0001). These results indicate that a mixture of nopal, amaranth and mushroom could improve cardiometaboic disruptions.