Phenolic Extract from Passion Fruit Seeds (Passiflora edulis) attenuates hepatic steatosis and improves murinometric parameters in obese mice.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes associated with inflammatory progression and is one of the main complications arising from obesity. Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is widely cultivated in tropical regions, and its seeds are rich in phenolic compounds, mainly piceatannol, recognized for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that may contribute to hepatic homeostasis. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of passion fruit seed phenolic extract (PFSE) on murinometric parameters and hepatic steatosis in obese mice.Thirty-two mice were used: 24 fed a high-fat diet (HF) rich in saturated fat to induce obesity and 8 fed a standard diet (AIN). After 8 weeks, the animals were divided into four groups (n = 8/group): standard diet (AIN); high-fat diet (HF); high fat diet supplemented with PFSE (HF + PFSE); and high-fat diet supplemented with piceatannol (HF + PIC). Body weight and food intake were monitored weekly. Body fat percentage was determined from adipose tissue weights after euthanasia, and the Lee index was calculated based on the relationship between body weight and naso-anal length. Hepatic steatosis was evaluated by histological analysis considering hepatocyte nucleus preservation, hepatocyte cytoplasm, lipid droplets, and inflammatory infiltrate. Student’s t-test was used for comparisons between AIN and HF groups, while ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test was applied to compare HF, HF + PFSE, and HF + PIC groups. The HF group showed lower food intake compared to the AIN group; however, it exhibited higher body weight, body fat percentage, and Lee index, confirming obesity development. Treatment with PFSE and piceatannol reduced these parameters. Histological analysis demonstrated that the AIN group presented a higher number of preserved hepatocyte nuclei, whereas the HF group showed a greater amount of lipid droplets, indicating hepatic steatosis. The treated groups presented fewer lipid droplets compared to the HF group, suggesting a protective effect against hepatic lipid accumulation. Furthermore, the HF + PFSE group showed lower inflammatory infiltrate compared to the HF and HF + PIC groups, indicating a greater anti-inflammatory potential of the passion fruit seed phenolic extract. PFSE attenuated metabolic alterations induced by the high-fat diet by reducing body adiposity, hepatic steatosis, and inflammatory infiltrate. These effects may be associated with the antioxidant and anti inflammatory actions of the phenolic compounds present in the extract, especially piceatannol. The superior effect observed in the HF + PFSE group regarding inflammatory infiltrate suggests a possible synergistic interaction among the bioactive compounds present in the extract. Therefore, PFSE demonstrated potential hepatoprotective effects against obesity-induced alterations and may represent a promising complementary nutritional strategy for obesity-associated MAFLD. We thank CAPES, CNPq, FAPEMIG, and PPGCN-UFV for financial support.