Volume 173, 15 April 2015, Pages 741–748
Analytical Methods
Tucumã fruit extracts (Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer) decrease cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide on human lymphocytes
Highlights
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- Studies of fruits rich in carotenoids are important to human health.
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- Some fruits rich in carotenoids as tucumã, an Amazonian fruit are less studied.
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- Tucumã extracts protect lymphocytes exposed to H2O2.
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- The cytoprotective action of tucumã indicates some pharmacological effect.
Abstract
This study quantifies the bioactive molecules in and determines the in vitro protective effect of ethanolic extracts isolated from the peel and pulp of tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum,
Mart.), an Amazonian fruit rich in carotenoids. The cytoprotective
effect of tucumã was evaluated in lymphocyte cultures exposed to H2O2
using spectrophotometric, fluorimetric, and immunoassay assays. The
results confirmed that tucumã pulp extract is rich in β-carotene and
quercetin, as previously described in the literature. However, high
levels of these compounds were also found in tucumã peel extract. The
extracts also contained significant amounts rutin, gallic acid, caffeic
acid, and chlorogenic acid. Despite quantitative differences in the
concentration of these bioactive molecules, both extracts increased the
viability of cells exposed to H2O2 in
concentrations ranging from 300 to 900 μg/mL. Caspases 1, 3, and 8
decreased significantly in cells concomitantly exposed to H2O2 and these extracts, indicating that tucumã cryoprotection involves apoptosis modulation.
Keywords
- Astrocaryum aculeatum;
- Carotenoids;
- DNA damage;
- Lymphocyte culture
- Corresponding author at: Av. Roraima 1000, Predio 19, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Tel.:
+55 55 32208163; fax: +55 55 32208239.
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- The two authors contributed equally in this study.
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