Effects of the leaves of pereskia aculeata on ingestion and biochemical parameters in wistar rats

Pereskia Aculeata Miller, also known as Ora-Pro-Nóbis (OPN), is an underutilized species that belongs to the Cactaceae family. It is mainly distributed in the southern United States and Brazil, from Bahia to the Rio Grande do Sul state, growing in stony and sandy coastal plains. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the use of OPN leaves on the metabolic parameters of Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: G1 (n = 8), control group, that received water and commercial rat feed; G2 (n = 8), group treated with commercial rat feed incorporated with OPN leaves (20%); and G3 (n = 8), group treated with commercial rat feed included with OPN leaves (30%). The experimental protocol lasted 40 days, and after that, biochemical and anthropometric data were evaluated. The groups that received OPN (G2 and G3) showed similar feed intake, weight gain, Lee index and amount of visceral fat, as well glycemia, when compared to the control group. Significant differences were observed only for Total Cholesterol, urea, and iron. The use of OPN leaves may result in positive effects on some metabolic parameters of Wistar rats. Nevertheless, there are controversies between the studies found in the literature. For these reasons we suggest more studies using this plant to verify the amounts that should be consumed to improve anthropometric and biochemical parameters.