Feiolix feijoa fruit powder improves metabolic markers in a high fat diet mouse model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v16i4.1851Abstract
Background: Feiolix®, a freeze-dried feijoa fruit powder contains ellagitannins, abscisic acid, and xyloglucans, each of which may independently and synergistically support metabolic health.
Objective: To examine the dose-response effects of Feiolix® on metabolic parameters in high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice.
Methods: Swiss albino mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce diabetes, followed by daily oral gavage of Feiolix at five doses (0.7-11.6 mg/20 g body weight), metformin control, non-diabetic control, or continued high-fat diet for an additional 16 weeks.
Results: A biphasic xenohormetic dose-response pattern was observed. The low dose (1.5 mg) demonstrated significant efficacy, significantly reducing fasting blood glucose (-10.1 mg/dL, p<0.0001 vs high-fat diet control) and triglycerides (-14.7 mg/dL, p<0.0001) with performance comparable to metformin and normal controls. Surprisingly, the mid-range 3.5 mg dose was less effective than the 1.5 mg dose for glucose and triglyceride management. The highest 11.6 mg dose showed comprehensive benefits across all metabolic parameters, significantly reducing fasting blood glucose (-30.1 mg/dL), triglycerides (-29.5 mg/dL), total cholesterol (-47.3 mg/dL), and LDL cholesterol (-20.7 mg/dL), while also promoting weight loss and improving liver histology.
Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that feijoa exhibits xenohormetic effects with metabolic benefits at low doses (300 mg human equivalent) and enhanced comprehensive benefits at high doses (2300 mg human equivalent), supporting its potential as a natural intervention for metabolic dysfunction management.
Novelty of the Study: This study provides evidence that freeze dried feijoa powder (Feiolix®) can act as functional food ingredient with potential therapeutic application to improve metabolic health.
Keywords: feijoa; metabolism; blood glucose; cholesterol; triglycerides; body weight; liver health; dose-response; xenohormesis
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Copyright (c) 2026 Doug Rosendale, Aahana Shrestha, Ashit Vora, Chhaya Godse, Starin Mckeen
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