Preserved organ function and redox homeostasis following repeated oral exposure to Quercus suber acorn shell extract in female FVB/n mice

Acorn shells (AS), a by-product of Quercus suber acorn processing, are rich in phenolic compounds with recognized bioactivities. However, their incorporation into food or nutraceutical formulations requires in vivo safety assessment under physiologically relevant exposure conditions. This study evaluated the effects of a hydroethanolic AS extract following repeated oral intake in female FVB/n mice over 25 days. The extract's phenolic profile was characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/ MS. Nineteen animals (8-12 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four groups receiving drinking water containing 0, 100, 200 and 500 mu g/mL of extract. Animal welfare, food and water intake, and body weight were monitored throughout the study. At the end, animals were euthanized via anesthetic overdose, after which blood was collected for biochemical analysis, organs were weighed, and liver and kidney processed for histology and oxidative stress analysis. The extract was dominated by phenolic acids and hydrolysable tannins, primarily gallic/ellagic acid derivatives. No toxicity signs or mortality were recorded, and food and water intake remained similar across groups. Body weight and food and water intakes were unaffected, whereas an increase in liver, spleen, and left kidney relative weight was observed in the 200 mu g/mL dose (p < 0.05). Biochemical parameters were also preserved between groups, though the 200 mu g/mL group showed reduced renal lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05). Histological examination revealed no treatment-related hepatic or renal lesions. Overall, these findings indicate that repeated oral exposure to AS extract does not compromise systemic homeostasis under the tested conditions.

Palavras-chave

By-products Kidney Liver Oxidative stress Polyphenols Quercus suber

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/36929

Citação

Correia, Pedro; Mateus, Cristiano; Pinto, Joao Pedro; Azevedo, Tiago; Finimundy, Tiane; Babo, Pedro; Nascimento-Goncalves, Elisabete; Medeiros, Catarina; Felix, Luis; Seixas, Fernanda; Barros, Lillian; Oliveira, Paula A. (2026). Preserved organ function and redox homeostasis following repeated oral exposure to Quercus suber acorn shell extract in female FVB/n mice. Biocatalysis and Agricultura Biotechnology. ISSN 1878-8181. 74, p. 1-12