Nutritional Characterization, Antioxidant, and Lipid-Lowering Effects of Yellow Mombin (Spondias mombin) Supplemented to Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing yellow mombin (YM) on the oxidative, somatic, and lipid parameters in rats fed a high-fat diet. A total of 24 adult Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: normal-fat diet (NF), high-fat diet (HF), and high-fat diet with YM supplementation (HFYM). Diets were administered for four weeks, and YM (400 mg/kg) was supplemented via gavage in the last two weeks of the experiment. After the four-week period, the somatic, serum biochemical, and liver oxidative parameters were evaluated. YM has a high antioxidant activity and significant amounts of phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamin C, dietary fibre, and minerals. The HFYM group had the lowest body weight (18.75%), body mass index (17.74%), and adiposity (31.63%) compared with the HF group. YM supplementation reduced low-density lipoprotein by 43.05% and increased high-density lipoprotein by 25.73%, but did not improve the triglyceride levels in the serum. YM treatment improved glucose tolerance and lipid peroxidation, and also enhanced the antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver. These results indicate the lipid-lowering property and potential antioxidant activity of YM against liver oxidative damage caused by a high-fat diet intake, which may be associated with the bioactive compounds present in this fruit.


Introduction
The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is considered to be a significant public health problem due to the high mortality rates worldwide [1]. Lifestyle, including food choices such as the exaggerated consumption of cholesterol, as well as saturated and trans fatty acids, at the expense of fibre consumption, are closely related to lipid metabolism disorders such as dyslipidaemias [2].
Dyslipidaemias are related to reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and/or the elevation of serum and/or tissue levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC),

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Yellow Mombin 2.2.1. Sample Preparation and Proximate Composition
Yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) from the city of Sapé, Paraíba, Brazil (Latitude: 07 • 05 47 S, Longitude: 35 • 13 58 W), was botanically identified and documented in the Lauro Pires Xavier Herbarium at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). The fruits were selected according to the same stage of maturation (completely yellow skin colour), were sanitized in chlorinated water at a dilution of 200 ppm for 20 min, and were washed thoroughly.
The pulp and peel were ground together, and the pits were discarded. Then, the samples were frozen and subjected to lyophilisation at −40 • C, vacuum pressure of 150 µHg, and lyophilisation at a speed of 1 m/h for approximately 12 h in a lyophiliser (model L-101, Liotop, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil). The lyophilized sample was crushed in a food processor (Mixer Philips Walita, Itaipava, RJ, Brazil), sieved (1.0 mm mesh), then stored under freezing (−10 • C) and protected from light for further analysis [13].
All of the analyses to determine the chemical composition of yellow mombin (YM) were performed in triplicate. The proximate composition was determined through an analysis of the moisture by drying in an oven at 105 • C, ash by incineration in a muffle oven (550 • C), and proteins by the Kjeldahl method [21], in addition to the percentage of lipids using the Folch method [22]. The enzymatic-gravimetric method using alphaamylase, protease, and amyloglucosity enzymes was used to quantify the total dietary fibre, insoluble dietary fibre, and soluble dietary fibre [21], and the fructan content was measured using enzymatic hydrolysis [21].

Determination of Carotenoids and Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid was determined using the colorimetric method with a 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol reagent (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) at 518 nm [27], and the quantification of carotenoids was performed at 450 nm using a calibration curve (0-50 ppm) prepared with β-carotene (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) in hexane as the pattern [28]. Both analyses were performed using a spectrophotometer (Genesys 10S UV-VIS, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Madison, WI, USA).

Sugars, Organic Acids and Phenolic Compounds
The monosaccharides, disaccharides, and organic acids of the YM were extracted with sulphuric acid at 4.0 mM/L [29]. The extracts (10 µL) were injected using a highperformance liquid chromatography instrument (HPLC; 1260 model, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) coupled to a refractive index detector (RID; model G1362A) and a diode array detector (DAD; model G1315D). Chromatographic separation was performed on an ion-exchange column, Agilent Hi-Plex H (300 × 7.7 mm, 8.0 µm) protected by a guard column Zorbax PL Hi-Plex H (5 × 3 mm) (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA). The column temperature was maintained at 70 • C. The isocratic flow rate applied was 0.7 mL/min with a run time of 20 min. The phase was 4.0 mmol/L of H 2 SO 4 . Original external standards were injected to obtain the retention time for each compound. The detection of malic, lactic, tartaric, citric, butyric, propionic, formic, and acetic acids was conducted at 210 nm. In addition, detection for glucose, maltose, fructose, and rhamnose was carried out by RID. The calibration curves of the external standards were obtained (n = 5 points) using the least squares method. The identification and quantification of the compounds were done using the retention time of the sample peak in comparison with the retention time and the area of the peaks obtained in the external standards. All of the quantified compounds showed linearity with R2 > 0.995. The detection and quantification limits (LOD and LOQ, respectively) for all compounds evaluated were LOD < 0.042 g/L and LOQ < 0.131 g/L. Acids were detected at 210 nm and sugars were detected by RID [29].

Mineral Profile
The mineral profile of the samples was analysed using an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer device (model EDX-720, Tokyo, Japan) [32]. The YM samples were initially incinerated in a muffle oven at 550 • C, then placed in appropriate sample holders, sealed with a thin polypropylene film and a hole was opened at one end to prevent the extrusion of YM samples when activating the vacuum.

Study Design, Diets, and Yellow Mombin Supplementation Administered to Wistar Rats
The biological assay was initiated after the protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee for the Use of Laboratory Animals of the Federal University of Paraíba (CEUA-UFPB), under protocol number 05052016, and followed the Animal Research guidelines: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments: the ARRIVE Guidelines [33].
YM was administered to YMHF rats in the last two weeks of the experiment at a dose of 400 mg/kg of body weight. The YM dose chosen (400 mg/kg) was established based on a pilot study, as well as on previous studies with the administration of lyophilised fruits, in which the effects against the damage induced by a high-fat diet in rodents were reported [13,15]. YM was diluted (1.6%, w/v) in saline and administered via a gavage twice a day with 4 h intervals in the morning and afternoon. The untreated groups (NF and HF) received a saline solution of the same volume during the last two weeks of the experiment [13].

Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
The respective diets were administered for four weeks to the rats. The high-fat diet groups received a high-fat diet with 6% lard, 5% non-hydrolysed vegetable fat, 1% cholesterol, and 0.5% cholic acid (Rhoster, Araçoiaba da Serra, SP, Brazil), previously established as the period needed to dysregulate the serum lipid profile [13,34]. The normalfat diet group (NF) consumed a maintenance diet (AIN-93M) proposed by the American Institute of Nutrition (AIN), during the same period, for which the lipid source was 4% soybean oil [35] (Supplementary Tables S1 and S2). YM was administered to YMHF rats in the last two weeks of the experiment at a dose of 400 mg/kg of body weight. The YM dose chosen (400 mg/kg) was established based on a pilot study, as well as on previous studies with the administration of lyophilised fruits, in which the effects against the damage induced by a high-fat diet in rodents were reported [13,15]. YM was diluted (1.6%, w/v) in saline and administered via a gavage twice a day with 4 h intervals in the morning and afternoon. The untreated groups (NF and HF) received a saline solution of the same volume during the last two weeks of the experiment [13].

Weight Gain and Food INTAKE Evaluation
The rats were weighed weekly (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) on an electronic scale (Toledo Prixlll, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil). The food intake was measured weekly using the difference between the offered and remaining feed in grams [13].

Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
At the end of the four weeks of treatment, one day before euthanasia, the rats were submitted to 6 h of fasting before performing a glucose tolerance test (GTT). Blood was collected from the rats' tails at 0 and 30, 60, and 90 min after gavage with a 25% glucose solution at a dose of 2 g glucose/kg body weight [34]. The blood glucose level of each animal was determined using a glucometer (Accu-check Performa, Jaguaré, SP, Brazil).

Euthanasia, Somatic Parameters, and Biological Material Collection
After the fourth week of treatment 48 h after completing the GTT, the rats were weighed on an electronic scale (brand Toledo model Prix III, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil) and were anaesthetised intraperitoneally (IP) with 75 mg/kg body weight of ketamine hydrochloride, associated with 10 mg/body weight kg of hydrochloride xylazine. Next, the body length (naso-anal), waist circumference (in the notch of the hind paws), and chest circumference (in the notch of the front paws) [36] were measured using an inelastic tape. The body weight (g) was divided by the squared length (cm 2 ) to calculate the body mass index (BMI), and the Lee Index (LI) was calculated using the cube root of the body weight (g) divided by the length (cm).
Then, the rats were euthanised via cardiac puncture and aortic transection. The rats' blood (4 mL) was collected and transferred to sterile tubes, which were centrifuged at 1040× g-force for 10 min to obtain the serum, which was kept at −20 • C until further lipid profiling. Then, the abdominal cavity was opened, and the liver, adipose tissue, and carcass were collected and weighed. The adiposity index was determined using the equation: (epididymal + visceral + retroperitoneal fat/final body weight) × 100, expressed in %) [37]. The liver (left lobe) was collected for the antioxidant parameter analysis.

Quantification of the Total Lipid, Cholesterol, and Triglyceride in the Faeces and in the Liver
The total lipid percentage in the faeces and liver was quantified by the cold extraction method [22]. Part of the lipid extracts was used to quantify TG and TC using specific commercial kits, as described in Section 2.6.

Liver Antioxidant Status
The antioxidant parameters were evaluated by analysing the lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the liver homogenates. First, each organ was ground and homogenised in 10 mL of potassium chloride (0.05 M) in an ice bath to prepare the homogenate. The homogenates were then centrifuged in a refrigerated centrifuge (Thermo Scientific Sorvall, st8, Waltham, MA, USA) (8000× g for 5 min at 4 • C), and the supernatant was retained for the analyses.
Lipid peroxidation was evaluated by measuring the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and was expressed in terms of the malondialdehyde (MDA) content [38]. The reaction was analysed in an ultraviolet spectrophotometer (Bioespectro SP-22, Curitiba, PR, Brazil) at a wavelength of 532 nm at room temperature.
The TAC in the organ homogenates was measured by evaluating the free radical scavenging activity according to the DPPH method [25]. The reaction was analysed in an ultraviolet spectrophotometer (Bioespectro SP-22, Curitiba, PR, Brazil) at a wavelength of 515 nm and at room temperature.

Statistical Analysis
The sample size (24 rats randomized into three groups, n = 8 rats per group) was calculated to meet a minimum statistical power of 80%, with a minimally detectable effect size of 1.0 and a significance level of 0.05 (α = 0.05). The data and its residues were submitted to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Levene's test for the respective evaluation of the normal distribution and homogeneity of variance. Parametric data were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-test at a 5% significance level (p ≤ 0.05) using the SigmaPlot 12.5 version statistical package for evaluation (Systat Software Inc., San Jose, CA, USA). The MetaboAnalyst v.5.0 program (Xia Lab, McGill University, Montreal, Canada) was used for data pre-treatment with the auto scaling method and the creation of the correlation matrix. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used as a strength measure of the association between two variables (p ≤ 0.05).

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Yellow Mombin
The YM characterization and antioxidant capacity are shown in Table 1. YM presented a variety of bioactive compounds in its composition, such as fructans, soluble dietary fibre, insoluble dietary fibre, malic acid, acetic acid, minerals, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. Some of the major phenolic compounds found in YM are 3,4dihydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, salicylic acid, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, rutin, and myricetin. All of the compounds quantified in the YM had a moderate to strong positive correlation (r = 0.06 to 1.00; p ≤ 0.001) with each other (Figure 2).    Our study demonstrated that YM has an important antioxidant activity, as well as large and varied amounts of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, fibres, fructans, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and minerals (Table 1). There is evidence that the bioactive compounds present in YM or fruits and their by-products of the same family (Anacardiaceae), such as cashews (Anacardium occidentale) and mangos (Mangifera indica), can be used in traditional and alternative medicine as an adjunct in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases [13,39].
In the present study, this evidence can be supported by a moderate to strong negative correlation (r = −0.06 to −1.00; p ≤ 0.001) between the compounds quantified in the YM and the biological analyses performed on rats ( Figure 2). Herein, for the first time in the literature, we demonstrated that YM supplementation attenuated the changes induced by the high-fat diet in body weight, somatic parameters, glycaemia in GTT, lipid metabolism, and hepatic antioxidant status in the HFYM rats.

Effect on Weight Gain, Food, and Lipid Intake
The high-fat diet groups consumed the least amount of diet ( Figure 3A,B) and more lipids ( Figure 3C,D), which reflected in greater weight gain ( Figure 3E,F) compared with the NF group (p ≤ 0.05). However, the HFYM group showed a lower dietary ( Figure 3A,B) and lipid intake ( Figure 3C,D) from the third week of the experiment, coinciding with the administration of YM, which resulted in less weight gain in this group ( Figure 3E,F) when compared with the HF (p ≤ 0.05). In fact, previous studies have indicated that dietary fat consumption for a short time induces the secretion of satiety peptides in the gastrointestinal tract [13,40].
In addition, YM was able to reduce weight gain in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFYM) in comparison with the HF rats ( Figure 3C). This effect may be associated with the combination of nutrients such as fat, fibre and polyphenols, which are present in the high-fat diet and YM, as they can potentiate the satietogenic effect. Fibres present in YM, especially insoluble ones, can prolong the contact of dietary fat with the intestinal mucosa and delay fat digestion, contributing to increased satiety [41]. Moreover, YM polyphenols can inhibit enzymes related to the digestion of carbohydrates and fats (amylase, glucosidase, and lipase), or even delay the secretion of appetite-stimulating hormones and inactivate appetite sensors [42].

Effect on Somatic Parameters
The group fed a high-fat diet (HF) had the highest carcass and liver weights, the highest abdominal and thoracic circumferences, and the highest adiposity index (p ≤ 0.05) among the groups, despite having a similar BMI and Lee index to the control group (p > 0.05). However, YM treatment was able to reduce all of the somatic parameters altered by the high-fat diet in the HFYM group, except for the Lee index (p ≤ 0.05) ( Table 2). These results demonstrate that the Lee index may not be as sensitive as the BMI and adiposity index for rats fed this diet. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that despite the consumption of a high-calorie and high-fat diet, the rats in the HF and HFYM groups were not classified as obese, as they had a BMI below 0.68 g/cm 2 [36], Lee index below 0.30 [43], and adiposity index below 6.3% for adult rats [37]. Foods 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 18

Effect on Somatic Parameters
The group fed a high-fat diet (HF) had the highest carcass and liver weights, the highest abdominal and thoracic circumferences, and the highest adiposity index (p ≤ 0.05) among the groups, despite having a similar BMI and Lee index to the control group (p > 0.05). However, YM treatment was able to reduce all of the somatic parameters altered by the high-fat diet in the HFYM group, except for the Lee index (p ≤ 0.05) ( Table 2). These results demonstrate that the Lee index may not be as sensitive as the BMI and adiposity index for rats fed this diet. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that despite the consumption of a high-calorie and high-fat diet, the rats in the HF and HFYM groups were  Figure 4A shows a lower glucose tolerance in the HF group compared with the NF group from the initial time to the end of the test at 90 min. However, YM treatment reversed the glycaemic changes caused by the high-fat diet by reducing this parameter in the HFYM group compared with HF at all of the times analysed, as also demonstrated by the area under the curve ( Figure 4B) (p ≤ 0.05). Previous studies have indicated that the compounds present in YM, such as phenolic compounds (flavonoids), soluble fibres, fructans, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and some minerals (magnesium, potassium, and zinc), are involved in controlling glucose homeostasis and improving insulin sensitivity through different mechanisms. These compounds may have a synergistic action in glucose homeostasis [44][45][46][47][48][49], which can be supported by the fact of the area under the GTT curve was negatively correlated with the phenolic compounds (r = −0.91 to −0.92), minerals (r = −0.84 to −0.91), total dietary fibre, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids (r = −0.92, all) of YM (p ≤ 0.001) (Figure 2).  Figure 4A shows a lower glucose tolerance in the HF group compared with the NF group from the initial time to the end of the test at 90 min. However, YM treatment reversed the glycaemic changes caused by the high-fat diet by reducing this parameter in the HFYM group compared with HF at all of the times analysed, as also demonstrated by the area under the curve ( Figure 4B) (p ≤ 0.05). Previous studies have indicated that the compounds present in YM, such as phenolic compounds (flavonoids), soluble fibres, fructans, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and some minerals (magnesium, potassium, and zinc), are involved in controlling glucose homeostasis and improving insulin sensitivity through different mechanisms. These compounds may have a synergistic action in glucose homeostasis [44][45][46][47][48][49], which can be supported by the fact of the area under the GTT curve was negatively correlated with the phenolic compounds (r = −0.91 to −0.92), minerals (r = −0.84 to −0.91), total dietary fibre, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids (r = −0.92, all) of YM (p ≤ 0.001) (Figure 2).  Caffeic acid is abundant in YM and acts in the suppression of hepatic glucose production through increasing glucokinase activity and glycogen production, reducing the hepatic activities of glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy-kinase, and the declining glucose transporter 2 expression in hepatocytes [50].

Effect of YM Supplementation on Glucose Tolerance
This improvement in glycaemia in the GTT caused by YM supplementation (Figure 4) becomes particularly important, considering that most studies have evaluated the antidiabetic and hypoglycaemic effects of the extracts obtained from the leaves, roots, or seeds of the Spondias genus, and not from the edible part of the fruit, such as the pulp and peel [19,51].

Effect of YM Supplementation on the Serum Lipid Profile, Triglycerides, and Cholesterol Quantified in the Faeces and Liver
The high-fat diet was able to increase the triglycerides ( Figure 5A), total cholesterol ( Figure 5B), LDL ( Figure 5D), and VLDL levels ( Figure 5E), in addition to reducing the HDL levels ( Figure 5C) in relation to the control group fed a normal-fat diet (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, supplementation with YM reduced the total cholesterol ( Figure 5B) and LDL levels ( Figure 5D) and increased HDL levels ( Figure 5C) in the HFYM group (p ≤ 0.0.5).
kinase, and the declining glucose transporter 2 expression in hepatocytes [50].
This improvement in glycaemia in the GTT caused by YM supplementation ( Figure  4) becomes particularly important, considering that most studies have evaluated the antidiabetic and hypoglycaemic effects of the extracts obtained from the leaves, roots, or seeds of the Spondias genus, and not from the edible part of the fruit, such as the pulp and peel [19,51].

Effect of YM Supplementation on the Serum Lipid Profile, Triglycerides, and Cholesterol Quantified in the Faeces and Liver
The high-fat diet was able to increase the triglycerides ( Figure 5A), total cholesterol ( Figure 5B), LDL ( Figure 5D), and VLDL levels ( Figure 5E), in addition to reducing the HDL levels ( Figure 5C) in relation to the control group fed a normal-fat diet (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, supplementation with YM reduced the total cholesterol ( Figure 5B) and LDL levels ( Figure 5D) and increased HDL levels ( Figure 5C) in the HFYM group (p ≤ 0.0.5).  The HF group had a greater faecal excretion of total lipids ( Figure 6A), triglycerides ( Figure 6B), and total cholesterol ( Figure 6C), as well as a greater lipid ( Figure 6D), triglyceride ( Figure 6E), and total cholesterol ( Figure 6F) deposition in the liver in comparison with the control group (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, YM supplementation increased the faecal lipid ( Figure 6A) and triglyceride ( Figure 6B) excretion and reduced the hepatic lipid ( Figure 6C), triglyceride ( Figure 6E), and hepatic total cholesterol ( Figure 6F) deposition in HFYM rats in comparison with the HF rats (p ≤ 0.05).
The HF group had a greater faecal excretion of total lipids ( Figure 6A), triglyc ( Figure 6B), and total cholesterol ( Figure 6C), as well as a greater lipid ( Figure 6D), t eride ( Figure 6E), and total cholesterol ( Figure 6F) deposition in the liver in comp with the control group (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, YM supplementation increas faecal lipid ( Figure 6A) and triglyceride ( Figure 6B) excretion and reduced the h lipid ( Figure 6C), triglyceride ( Figure 6E), and hepatic total cholesterol ( Figure 6F) sition in HFYM rats in comparison with the HF rats (p ≤ 0.05). The increase in the faecal excretion of the total lipids and triglycerides in HFY partially explains the improvement in the serum lipid profile and the reduced depo of hepatic lipids (total, cholesterol, and triglycerides). On the other hand, the liver f tent reflects the balance between various metabolic pathways, such as lipolysis in t ipose tissue, lipogenesis, triglyceride esterification, fatty acid oxidation, and synthe cretion of lipoproteins in the liver tissue [52].
There are reports that the synergistic interaction of dietary fibre with flavono duces the hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity, such as fatty acid synthase and HMG reductase, which are considered key enzymes in the fatty acid and cholesterol liv tabolism [53,54]. Furthermore, the positive and significant correlation between all compounds quantified in YM, as well as the negative correlation of dietary fibre (r = to −0.99), phenolic compounds and minerals (r = −0.80 to −0.98), ascorbic acid (r = − −0.99), and carotenoids (r = −0.85 to −0.99) from YM with serum lipids (TG, CT, LD VLDL) (p ≤ 0.001; Figure 2) reinforce the hypothesis of the synergistic and potentia ditive actions of the bioactive compounds quantified in YM on lipid metabolism. Q tin is one of the major phenolic compounds in YM and is involved in regulating th receptor gene expression, which can cause hypolipidaemic effects by increasin The increase in the faecal excretion of the total lipids and triglycerides in HFYM rats partially explains the improvement in the serum lipid profile and the reduced deposition of hepatic lipids (total, cholesterol, and triglycerides). On the other hand, the liver fat content reflects the balance between various metabolic pathways, such as lipolysis in the adipose tissue, lipogenesis, triglyceride esterification, fatty acid oxidation, and synthesis/secretion of lipoproteins in the liver tissue [52].
There are reports that the synergistic interaction of dietary fibre with flavonoids reduces the hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity, such as fatty acid synthase and HMG-CoA reductase, which are considered key enzymes in the fatty acid and cholesterol liver metabolism [53,54]. Furthermore, the positive and significant correlation between all of the compounds quantified in YM, as well as the negative correlation of dietary fibre (r = −0.88 to −0.99), phenolic compounds and minerals (r = −0.80 to −0.98), ascorbic acid (r = −0.85 to −0.99), and carotenoids (r = −0.85 to −0.99) from YM with serum lipids (TG, CT, LDL, and VLDL) (p ≤ 0.001; Figure 2) reinforce the hypothesis of the synergistic and potentially additive actions of the bioactive compounds quantified in YM on lipid metabolism. Quercetin is one of the major phenolic compounds in YM and is involved in regulating the LDL receptor gene expression, which can cause hypolipidaemic effects by increasing the clearance of circulating levels of LDL cholesterol from the blood [55]. The anti-hyperlipidaemic and hepatoprotective activities are also attributed to caffeic acid, which is one of the main phenolic compounds in YM and other fruits and vegetables [56].

Antioxidant Status in the Liver
The group fed a high-fat diet (HF) showed a reduced total antioxidant capacity ( Figure 7A), increased lipid peroxidation ( Figure 7B) and reduced antioxidant activity of SOD ( Figure 7C) and GPx ( Figure 7D) enzymes in the liver of rats compared with the  Lipid and glucose metabolisms are mainly regulated by the liver, and therefore we evaluated the antioxidant status in this organ. Lower MDA, higher TAC and activity of SOD and GPx in the liver of HFYM showed that YM increases antioxidant capacity and reduces oxidative degradation of lipids caused by continued consumption of the high-fat diet (Figure 7). Antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and carotenoids abundant in YM reinforce the defence against free radicals and non-radical oxidants, preventing the oxidative attack on cellular molecules (e.g., lipids, DNA and proteins) [57].
Interestingly, hepatic MDA showed a negative correlation with the antioxidant activity of YM determined by the FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH methods (r = −0.66, all; p ≤ 0.001), and hepatic MDA also showed a negative correlation (p ≤ 0.001) with the ascorbic acid (r = −0.66), carotenoids (r = −0.66), minerals (r = −0.60 to −0.66), and phenolic compounds (r = −0.66 to −0.67) quantified in YM (Figure 2). On the other hand, hepatic TAC had a positive correlation with hepatic SOD (r = 0.88) and GPx (r = 0.68) enzymes (p ≤ 0.001; Figure 2). These results highlight the importance of evaluating the biological activity of YM as a food matrix, considering the potential synergism between its components when faced with hepatic oxidative stress caused by the high-fat diet. Previous studies have reported that YM leaf supplementation improved antioxidant enzymes levels (CAT, SOD, and GPx) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the cardiac muscle of infarction-induced rats [20] and in the brains of rats induced to cyanide intoxication [58].
Although there are some differences in lipoprotein circulation and fat digestion between rats and humans [59], rats fed HFD have been a widely used animal model to evaluate the effects of different foods/herbal/nutraceuticals on lipid metabolism, liver health, and antioxidant status [13,15,34], as the synthesis of hepatic fatty acids and the transcriptional processes related to lipid metabolism are similar between these species [59].
Future studies to evaluate the effects of YM administration on enzyme activities and/or gene expressions related to lipid metabolism (e.g., acetyl CoA carboxylase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1, fatty acid synthase, and HMG-CoA reductase) and glycidic metabolism (e.g., glucokinase, G6Pase, glycogen synthase kinase-3, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) are encouraged [60]. Furthermore, translational studies can be conducted to test the dose administered to rats, which is 64.86 mg/kg when converted to humans, with this calculation being based on equations that consider the body surface of these species [61].

Conclusions
The regular consumption of YM improved all of the somatic parameters of the rats, induced a blood glucose and cholesterol-lowering effect, reduced lipid accumulation in the liver, increased faecal lipid excretion, and protected the liver from oxidative damage caused by the consumption of a high-fat diet.
Our results suggest that the effects of YM on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant defence disorders caused by a high-fat diet are associated with the action of dietary fibre, fructans, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, some mineral elements, and phenolic compound contents quantified in this food matrix, which may direct future studies to uncover evidence of the functional/nutraceutical potential of this fruit.
Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www. mdpi.com/article/10.3390/foods11193064/s1, Table S1. Composition of the normal-fat and high-fat diets consumed by Wistar rats treated or not with yellow mombin. Table S2. Fatty acid composition of the normal-fat and high-fat diets consumed by Wistar rats treated or not with yellow mombin.