Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Other Health Effects of Dragon Fruit and Potential Delivery Systems for Its Bioactive Compounds
Daniela Franceschi Nishikito,
Ana Claudia Abdalla Borges,
Lucas Fornari Laurindo,
Alda M. M. Bueno Otoboni,
Rosa Direito,
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart,
Claudia C. T. Nicolau,
Adriana M. R. Fiorini,
Renata Vargas Sinatora,
Sandra M. Barbalho
Affiliations
Daniela Franceschi Nishikito
School of Food and Technology of Marilia (FATEC), São Paulo 17500-000, Brazil
Ana Claudia Abdalla Borges
School of Food and Technology of Marilia (FATEC), São Paulo 17500-000, Brazil
Lucas Fornari Laurindo
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), São Paulo 17525-902, Brazil
Alda M. M. Bueno Otoboni
School of Food and Technology of Marilia (FATEC), São Paulo 17500-000, Brazil
Rosa Direito
Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical & Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart
Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília (UNIMAR), São Paulo 17525-902, Brazil
Claudia C. T. Nicolau
School of Food and Technology of Marilia (FATEC), São Paulo 17500-000, Brazil
Adriana M. R. Fiorini
School of Food and Technology of Marilia (FATEC), São Paulo 17500-000, Brazil
Renata Vargas Sinatora
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), São Paulo 17525-902, Brazil
Sandra M. Barbalho
School of Food and Technology of Marilia (FATEC), São Paulo 17500-000, Brazil
Dragon fruit (Hylocereus genus) has the potential for the prevention of diseases associated with inflammatory and oxidative processes. We aimed to comprehensively review dragon fruit health effects, economic importance, and possible use in delivery systems. Pubmed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched, and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines were followed. Studies have shown that pitaya can exert several benefits in conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer due to the presence of bioactive compounds that may include vitamins, potassium, betacyanin, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, and gallic acid. Moreover, pitaya has the potential to be used in food and nutraceutical products as functional ingredients, natural colorants, ecologically correct and active packaging, edible films, preparation of photoprotective products, and additives. Besides the importance of dragon fruit as a source of bioactive compounds, the bioavailability is low. The development of delivery systems such as gold nanoparticles with these compounds can be an alternative to reach target tissues.