Abstract
Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açai) is a native palm from the Amazon region. There are various chemical constituents of açai with bioactive properties. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and cytotoxic effects of açai seed extract on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) was applied to identify chemical compounds present in açai seed extract. LC-MS/MS and molecular networking were employed to detect the phenolic compounds of açai. The antioxidant activity of açai seed extract was measured by DPPH assay. MCF-7 breast cancer cell line viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell death was evaluated by flow cytometry and time-lapse microscopy. Autophagy was evaluated by orange acridin immunofluorescence assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated by DAF assay. From the molecular networking, fifteen compounds were identified, mainly phenolic compounds. The açai seed extract showed cytotoxic effects against MCF-7, induced morphologic changes in the cell line by autophagy and increased the ROS production pathway. The present study suggests that açai seed extract has a high cytotoxic capacity and may induce autophagy by increasing ROS production in breast cancer. Apart from its antioxidant activity, flavonoids with high radical scavenging activity present in açai also generated NO (nitric oxide), contributing to its cytotoxic effect and autophagy induction.
Highlights
Euterpe oleracea Mart., a native palm from the Amazon region, popularly known as açai, açai do Pará and juçara, is a multi-stem palm, with up to 25 stems per clump
Considering the diversity of chemical compounds present in açai, this study aimed to identify the compounds present in the pulp, seed and total fruit of Euterpe oleracea Mart. and to better evaluate the cytotoxic pathway of açai seed extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line
A sample of the specimen was stored under exsiccation at State University of Maranhão (UEMA) and deposited with the World International Property Organization under registration number PI0418614-1
Summary
Euterpe oleracea Mart., a native palm from the Amazon region, popularly known as açai, açai do Pará and juçara, is a multi-stem palm, with up to 25 stems per clump. The trunks in adults have heights ranging between 3 m and 20 m and a diameter of 7 cm to 18 cm [1]. The fruit ripening is complete in about 175 days, presenting a violet color and diameter of about 13.5 mm in Henderson (1995) [2]. Due to its many biological activities, the consumption of açai is increasing outside of the Amazon [3]. Among the previously studied activities, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are the most commonly reported. Assessments of the significant antioxidant capacity of açai pulp in free radicals have been published. Consumption of açai juice or pulp by healthy human volunteers has shown antioxidant capacity in vivo [10]
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