LAUSR

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), mainly Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are high-prevalent chronic gastrointestinal disorders that may cause an important reduction in life quality. Such diseases are characterized by their immune-mediated inflammatory, oxidative and dysbiotic events, which can lead to important symptoms in patients, such as abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and body weicght loss. In the last years, alternative natural options have been postulated for the prevention or treatment of IBDs, since common drug therapy may not be well accepted due to recurrent adverse effects and/or partial efficacy. Among those new natural products, agro-industrial byproducts, such as the peel and seed of foods, are emerging as cheap and pro-ecological options, as they are rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, but also in non-phenolic compounds, like unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibers and prebiotics, carotenoids, bioactive peptides, and vitamins. In that sense, Latin America is rich in little explored native fruits and vegetables, from which great amounts of byproducts can be produced. Studies have shown that the byproducts from Latin American vegetables, such as passion-fruit (Passiflora edulis), pineapple (Ananas comosus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.), for example, could represent interesting tools against IBDs, judging by the results of in vitro and animal studies. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss the potential role of non-phenolic compounds from native Latin American food byproducts in the prevention or treatment of IBDs, by highlighting their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and/or anti-dysbiotic effects.