Bioactive Properties of <i>Persea americana</i> Peel Extract and Their Role in Hypercholesterolemia Management and Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, with hypercholesterolemia being a major contributing risk factor. Although cholesterol-lowering drugs are widely available, concerns about several adverse side effects have increased the demand for natural alternatives, with the mo...

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Main Authors: Laura M. Teixeira, Catarina P. Reis, Rita Pacheco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2482
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author Laura M. Teixeira
Catarina P. Reis
Rita Pacheco
author_facet Laura M. Teixeira
Catarina P. Reis
Rita Pacheco
author_sort Laura M. Teixeira
collection DOAJ
description Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, with hypercholesterolemia being a major contributing risk factor. Although cholesterol-lowering drugs are widely available, concerns about several adverse side effects have increased the demand for natural alternatives, with the most common approaches involving the incorporation of foods rich in bioactive compounds into the diet. To explore this growing interest in food-based strategies for cardiovascular health, this study formulated and evaluated an aqueous peel extract of <i>Persea americana</i> to assess its potential role as a complementary approach to managing hypercholesterolemia. The extract was characterized, revealing the presence of various bioactive compounds, including pyridoxine-O-Hex, which was identified for the first time in a <i>P. americana</i> extract component. The safety profile of the extract was confirmed through in vivo assessment. Furthermore, the extract demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Additionally, permeability studies using Caco-2 cells, as a model of the gastrointestinal barrier, indicated that the extract effectively reduced cholesterol’s permeation. In summary, these findings suggest that <i>P. americana</i> peel extract may serve as a promising natural product for functional foods for cardiovascular health and hypercholesterolemia management.
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spelling doaj-art-575df9bc072a4485b680bba2188d3e712025-08-20T02:45:56ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011414248210.3390/foods14142482Bioactive Properties of <i>Persea americana</i> Peel Extract and Their Role in Hypercholesterolemia Management and Cardiovascular HealthLaura M. Teixeira0Catarina P. Reis1Rita Pacheco2Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, PortugalInstitute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, PortugalCentro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, PortugalCardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, with hypercholesterolemia being a major contributing risk factor. Although cholesterol-lowering drugs are widely available, concerns about several adverse side effects have increased the demand for natural alternatives, with the most common approaches involving the incorporation of foods rich in bioactive compounds into the diet. To explore this growing interest in food-based strategies for cardiovascular health, this study formulated and evaluated an aqueous peel extract of <i>Persea americana</i> to assess its potential role as a complementary approach to managing hypercholesterolemia. The extract was characterized, revealing the presence of various bioactive compounds, including pyridoxine-O-Hex, which was identified for the first time in a <i>P. americana</i> extract component. The safety profile of the extract was confirmed through in vivo assessment. Furthermore, the extract demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Additionally, permeability studies using Caco-2 cells, as a model of the gastrointestinal barrier, indicated that the extract effectively reduced cholesterol’s permeation. In summary, these findings suggest that <i>P. americana</i> peel extract may serve as a promising natural product for functional foods for cardiovascular health and hypercholesterolemia management.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2482cardiovascular diseaseshypercholesterolemia<i>Persea americana</i>bioactive compoundspyridoxine + O-Hex
spellingShingle Laura M. Teixeira
Catarina P. Reis
Rita Pacheco
Bioactive Properties of <i>Persea americana</i> Peel Extract and Their Role in Hypercholesterolemia Management and Cardiovascular Health
Foods
cardiovascular diseases
hypercholesterolemia
<i>Persea americana</i>
bioactive compounds
pyridoxine + O-Hex
title Bioactive Properties of <i>Persea americana</i> Peel Extract and Their Role in Hypercholesterolemia Management and Cardiovascular Health
title_full Bioactive Properties of <i>Persea americana</i> Peel Extract and Their Role in Hypercholesterolemia Management and Cardiovascular Health
title_fullStr Bioactive Properties of <i>Persea americana</i> Peel Extract and Their Role in Hypercholesterolemia Management and Cardiovascular Health
title_full_unstemmed Bioactive Properties of <i>Persea americana</i> Peel Extract and Their Role in Hypercholesterolemia Management and Cardiovascular Health
title_short Bioactive Properties of <i>Persea americana</i> Peel Extract and Their Role in Hypercholesterolemia Management and Cardiovascular Health
title_sort bioactive properties of i persea americana i peel extract and their role in hypercholesterolemia management and cardiovascular health
topic cardiovascular diseases
hypercholesterolemia
<i>Persea americana</i>
bioactive compounds
pyridoxine + O-Hex
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2482
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AT ritapacheco bioactivepropertiesofiperseaamericanaipeelextractandtheirroleinhypercholesterolemiamanagementandcardiovascularhealth