Pummelo fruit extract (Citrus maxima) reduces oxidative damage in peripheral blood of obese patients.

Objectives To verify the level of oxidation of biomolecules in the peripheral blood of obese patients before and after incubation with the pummelo pulp extract at 25 mg/mL. Methods This investigation included 241 individuals, distributed across the following groups: control (n = 69; 30 men and 39 women); pre-obesity (n = 78; 29 men and 49 women); level I obesity (n = 62; 20 men and 42 women); and level II or III obesity (n = 32; 11 men and 21 women). Results TBARS and MN levels were significantly altered by incubation with pummelo extract in both genders and in all the groups according to their obesity level. Another alteration in the antioxidant profile of the samples was a significant increase in vitamin C levels observed after incubation with pummelo extract in all experimental groups. Conclusions The aqueous extract of pummelo pulp showed in vitro biological activity against the oxidation of biomolecules, suggesting that its bioactive compounds may bring health benefits of obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]