Phenolic compounds from feijoa (Acca sellowiana) fruits: Ultrasound-assisted extraction and antiproliferative effect on cutaneous melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28)

Abstract

Feijoa (Acca sellowiana, Alcântara genotype) is a native Brazilian fruit with bioactive compounds that may contribute to treating diseases given its antioxidant properties. In this context, this study assessed the ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from feijoa to test their antiproliferative effect on cutaneous melanoma cells of the SK-Mel-28 strain. The influence of temperature, solid-to-liquid ratio, ultrasound power, and ethanol concentration on total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) of the feijoa extract was evaluated by Plackett-Burmann and rotational central composite experimental designs. The antiproliferative effect of the feijoa extract on cells of cutaneous melanoma of the SK-Mel-28 strain was assessed with different concentrations of the extract (0.1–10 mg/mL) for 24 and 72 h of treatment. The best temperature, solid-to-liquid ratio, ultrasound power, and ethanol concentration on TPC and TAA were 65 °C, 25 mg/mL, 100%, and 40%, respectively. Regarding the growth of melanoma cells of the SK-Mel-28 strain, it was observed an inhibition after 72 h using 5 and 10 mg/mL of feijoa extract. Therefore, these findings suggest that feijoa extract has the potential to treat skin cancer due to its bioactive compounds, although more studies are required to better elucidate this subject.