Abstract

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extracts from the peel (APE) and pulp (APP) of a traditional apple variety of central Italy, the 'Mela Rosa dei Monti Sibillini', on the damage caused by renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. Thirty mg per kg b.w. of the extracts were administered intraperitoneally to male adult Wistar rats 3 days before the induction of IRI by pedicle clamping. A significant decrease in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) was observed in the groups pre-treated with APE when compared with IRI rats. The chemical composition of APE was determined by HPLC-DAD-MSn highlighting a significant amount of proanthocyanidins (52.9 mg g(-1)), flavonols (42.27 mg g(-1)) and dihydrochalcones (11.75 mg g(-1)). These findings indicated that this ancient apple variety is a promising source of nutraceuticals and functional foods helpful to manage complications of renal disorders.