Effect of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seed phenolic extract on intestinal health parameters in mice fed a high-fat diet

High-fat diet-induced obesity is associated with impaired intestinal health and oxidative imbalance. In this context, passion fruit seed (Passiflora edulis), rich in phenolic compounds such as piceatannol, has shown functional potential. This study evaluated the effects of a phenolic extract from passion fruit seeds on intestinal health parameters,and duodenal oxidative stress in mice fed a high-fat diet. C57BL/6 mice were divided into four experimental groups (n = 12): AIN (standard AIN-93G diet), HF (high-fat diet), HF + PE, and HF + purified piceatannol (PIC). Obesity was induced by high-fat diet feeding for eight weeks, and the extract was incorporated into the diet at a dose equivalent to 20 mg of piceatannol/kg body weight. After eight weeks, intestinal permeability was evaluated, using fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), cecal parameters, intestinal length and oxidative stress markers in the duodenum. Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-test to compare AIN and HF groups, and one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test to compare the HF group with treated groups (p < 0.05) . Treatment with PE and PIC restored permeability values to levels 0.45 ± 0.02 and 0.47 ± 0.03 µL/mL, respectively, suggesting a protective effect on intestinal integrity. Regarding SCFAs, the HF group exhibited increased butyric acid (2.62 ± 0.43 mmol/kg) and isovaleric acid (0.85 ± 0.05 mmol/kg) levels, while the treated groups showed significant reductions in these metabolites. The HF+PE group also presented lower acetic acid levels (3.93 ± 0.91 mmol/kg) compared with the HF group (8.59 ± 1.03 mmol/kg), indicating modulation of intestinal fermentative metabolism. In addition, treated groups showed reduced small intestine length (33.24 ± 1.54 and 33.39 ± 1.75 cm for HF+PE and HF+PIC, respectively) compared with the HF group (35.28 ± 0.61 cm). The cecum weight/body weight ratio increased in the HF+PE group (1.29 ± 0.29%) compared with the HF group (0.76 ± 0.20%), suggesting alterations in cecal content and possible modulation of the intestinal microbiota. Concerning oxidative stress, the HF+PIC group exhibited higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (12.97 ± 3.53 U/mg protein) than the HF group (7.15 ± 2.56 U/mg protein), indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, treated groups showed lower nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, demonstrating reduced intestinal oxidative damage. These findings suggest that passion fruit seed phenolic extract, particularly due to the presence of piceatannol, improved intestinal integrity and oxidative balance, highlighting its potential to attenuate obesity-associated intestinal alterations. The authors acknowledge CAPES, CNPq, FAPEMIG and PPGN-UFV for their financial support.