## 5 Bioactivities
### Anti-Inflammatory Activity
#### 5.2.1 Changes Exerted by Altering Gene Expression  
Moracin C is a phenolic compound found in jackfruit, which can significantly inhibit the release of ROS and lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 cells, at doses of 25 and 50 \(\upmu\)M without apparent cytotoxicity after treatment for 48 or 72 h. Regulation of the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1\(\beta\), IL-6 and TNF-\(\alpha\)) was observed in response to these treatments. The anti-inflammatory action of moracin C was associated with the activation of some MAPK, including p38, ERK, and JNK, and NF-kB pathways [87]. Anti-inflammatory activity of phenolic compounds artocarpesin, norartocarpeine and oxyresveratrol isolated from jackfruit was reported. Artocarpesin suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2) by downregulating the expression of iNOS and COX-2 [86]. Acai pulp extract has anti-inflammatory properties that strongly inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 in vitro. It has also been shown to protect umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) against glucose-mediated inflammation by reducing the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 [89; 90]. Velutin is a flavone in acai pulp that inhibits NF-kB activation induced by oxidized LDL (oxLDL) in RAW-Blue cells. Its inhibitory effect was better than luteolin, another flavone with high anti-inflammatory activity [91]. The chemical structures of both compounds are similar, differing only in two substituents, where velutin bears two methoxyl groups at 7- and 3'-positions, whereas luteolin has two hydroxyl groups. Substitution of methoxyl groups appears to be a significant factor that regulates some bioactivities of the molecules, as determined by the evidence described. Velutin has also been shown to reduce the production of TNF-\(\alpha\) and IL-6 in peripheral murine macrophages an  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Sample**} & **Extraction** & **Solid. ** & **Method** & **Total Phenolic** & **Antioxidant Activity** & **Reference** \\  & **Solvent** & **Liquid Ratio** & & **(mg GAE/100 g dw)** & & **Reference** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Acai pulp} & \multirow{4}{*}{CO\({}_{2}\)} & \multirow{4}{*}{5 g pulp} & \(50\,\mathrm{\SIUnitSymbolDegree}\)/\(\,\mathrm{\SIUnitSymbolDegree  
A flavonal-rich lychee fruit extract (FRLFE) has been reported to contain a mixture of oligomerized phenolic compounds rich in monomers, dimers, and trimers of flavanol. Supplementation with FRLFE has been shown to suppress inflammation and tissue damage, both caused by high-intensity physical training of young long-distance runners for two months. Treatment with FRLFE reduced the serum concentration of IL-6 and significantly increased the transforming growth factor-\(\beta\) level between pre- and post-training [92]. Additionally, its effects on the expression of inflammatory genes were observed in rat hepatocytes treated with IL-1b and decreased mRNA and protein expression of iNOS, leading to an inhibition of nitric oxide and IL-1\(\beta\). FRLFE also inhibited phosphorylation of the NF-\(\kappa\)B inhibitor (I\(\kappa\)B-a) and reduced the mRNA expression of NF-\(\kappa\)B and TNF-\(\alpha\)[93]. Figure 2: Mechanism of action of some phenolic compounds found in lesser-consumed tropical fruits (lychee, mamey, passion fruit, acai and jackruit) and their ability to regulate the inflammatory process. Phenolic compounds can inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, iNOS, IL-1\(\beta\), TNF-\(\alpha\), COX-1, COX-2 by inhibiting their activity or gene expression. In addition, some phenolic compounds can up/downregulate transcriptional factors, such as nuclear factor-\(\kappa\)B (NF-\(\kappa\)B) or Nrf-2, in inflammatory and antioxidant pathways. PEL: pelargonidine; CAT: catechin; ECAT: epicatechin; CA: caffeic acid; MOR: moracin; MAL: malvidin; VEL: velutin; RUT: rutin; QUE: quercetin; Cha: chlorogenic acid; NAR: naringenin; FA: ferulic acid.