Frozen pulp extracts of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia McVaugh) attenuate the hyperlipidemia and lipid peroxidation of Type 1 diabetic rats

•The Amazonian camu-camu fruit is rich in phenolic antioxidants and vitamin C.•Type 1 diabetes is associated with systemic oxidative stress.•Camu-camu raw and polyphenol-rich extracts were administered to diabetic rats.•Increased plasma antioxidant capacity and reduced lipid peroxidation were observed.•Supplementation decreased plasmatic levels of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol.

Several epidemiological and experimental studies demonstrate that modulation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress by natural phytochemicals is a promising strategy to prevent and treat many chronic inflammatory diseases. Camu-camu is an Amazonian fruit with a high content of antioxidants, especially phenolic compounds and vitamin C. In the present study we evaluated the in vivo effects of chronic ingestion of raw extracts derived from camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia McVaugh) frozen pulp on plasma lipid profile and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of camu-camu raw extracts significantly increased plasma antioxidant activity, reduced triacylglycerol and total cholesterol and lipid peroxidation in the plasma of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. However, no effect was observed on glucose metabolism of diabetic rats, probably due to the severity of this model.