Jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) Modulates Intestinal Inflammation, Liver Homeostasis, and Brain Gene Expression...

Background/Objectives: Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) is widely used to induce intestinal injury, reducing intestinal barrier integrity and thus contributing to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may affect liver homeostasis and central nervous system function. In this context, the intake of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins from fruits such as jabuticaba has gained attention due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the effects of jabuticaba in the form of freeze-dried whole fruit, freeze-dried peel, and microencapsulated peel extract on DSS-induced damage to the gut-liver-brain axis in an in ovo model. Methods: Fertile eggs were assigned to five groups: water, DSS, DSS plus whole jabuticaba (WJ), DSS plus jabuticaba peel (JP), and DSS plus microencapsulated jabuticaba peel (JM). Duodenal, colon, and liver gene expressions; and histomorphometry, cecal microbiota, and brain gene expressions were evaluated at hatch. Results: DSS administration increased NF-κB expression and reduced MUC-2 in the duodenum, induced colonic inflammation, altered cecal microbiota, and caused hepatic oxidative stress, evidenced by elevated iNOS and enlarged fat globules, while reducing brain BDNF levels. Jabuticaba treatments mitigated intestinal, hepatic, and neural damage by reducing inflammatory markers; enhancing MUC-2, ZO-2, JAM-2, and claudin-1 expression; increasing villus area and goblet cell numbers; normalizing CAT and SOD activities in the liver; decreasing COX-2; increasing dopamine; and restoring BDNF in the brain. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that jabuticaba exerts protective effects along the gut-liver-brain axis, highlighting its potential as a functional food to support intestinal, hepatic, and brain health.