Açai (<i>Euterpe oleracea</i> Mart.) Seed Extract Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Lung Carcinoma Cells
Raquel Martins Martinez,
Deborah de Almeida Bauer Guimarães,
Camila Ramos Berniz,
Joel Pimentel de Abreu,
Ana Paula Machado da Rocha,
Roberto Soares de Moura,
Angela Castro Resende,
Anderson Junger Teodoro
Affiliations
Raquel Martins Martinez
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Functional Foods, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Avenida Pasteur 296-Urca, Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Deborah de Almeida Bauer Guimarães
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Functional Foods, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Avenida Pasteur 296-Urca, Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Camila Ramos Berniz
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Functional Foods, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Avenida Pasteur 296-Urca, Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Joel Pimentel de Abreu
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Functional Foods, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Avenida Pasteur 296-Urca, Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Ana Paula Machado da Rocha
Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rua Frei Caneca, 94, Rio de Janeiro CEP 20211-040, Brazil
Roberto Soares de Moura
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Av 28 de Setembro, n° 87, Rio de Janeiro CEP 20551-030, Brazil
Angela Castro Resende
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Av 28 de Setembro, n° 87, Rio de Janeiro CEP 20551-030, Brazil
Anderson Junger Teodoro
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Functional Foods, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Avenida Pasteur 296-Urca, Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, Brazil
Açai fruit has been studied for its antioxidant properties, with positive feedback against many diseases, including cancer. Although açai seeds are not edible, their composition has been studied in order to find new applications and reduce garbage generation. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects and impacts on the cell cycle and apoptosis of açai seed extract (ASE) on human lung carcinoma cell line (A549). Antioxidant activity of açai seed extract (ASE) was measured by DPPH assay, Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (ABTS/TEAC), Ferric Reducing Ability (FRAP) and Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Human lung carcinoma cell viability (A549) was monitored by MTT assay method and the effects on cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The results indicate high antioxidant activity in ASE and high values of total phenolic compounds (37.08 ± 8.56 g gallic acid/100 g). The MTT assay showed a maximum decrease (72.07%) in the viability of A549 cells after 48 h treatment with ASE (200 µg/mL). Flow cytometer analysis revealed that ASE increased the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase and promoted a high increase of apoptotic cells when compared to the untreated cells. The present study suggests that ASE has a high antioxidant capacity and may have a protective effect against lung cancer.