Antioxidant effects of açaí seed ( Euterpe oleracea ) in anorexia-cachexia syndrome induced by Walker-256 tumor

Abstract

PURPOSE:To assess antioxidant effects of açaí seed extract on anorexia-cachexia induced by Walker-256 tumor. METHODS:A population of 20 lab rats were distributed into four groups (n=5): Control Group (CG), which only received tumor inoculation. Experimental Group-100 (EG-100), with animals submitted to tumor inoculation and treated with seed extract in a 100 mg / ml concentration through gavage. Experimental , with animals submitted to tumor inoculation and treated with seed extract in a 200 mg / ml concentration. Placebo Group (GP), which received tumor inoculation and ethanol-water solution. We analyzed proteolysis, lipid peroxidation, tumor diameter and weight. RESULTS:Lipid peroxidation was representative only in the cerebral cortex, where there was more oxidative stress in rats treated with the extract (p = 0.0276). For proteolysis, there was less muscle damage in untreated rats (p = 0.0312). Only tumor diameter in treated rats was significantly lower (p = 0.0200) compared to untreated ones. CONCLUSIONS:The açaí seed extract showed no beneficial effect on the general framework of the cachectic syndrome in lab rats.However, some anticarcinogenic effects were observed in the tumor diameter and weight.

Anticancer potential, molecular mechanisms and toxicity of Euterpe oleracea extract (açaí): A systematic review

“…QATRS scores ranged from 0 to 20, and the quality of the studies ranged from 16 to 20 points ( Table 1 ). Among the 9 studies that were included, 6 evaluated the pharmacological effects of açaí in experimental models of cancer, including esophageal [ 40 ], urothelial [ 41 ], and colon cancer [ 42 , 43 ], and melanoma [ 44 ] and Walker-256 tumors [ 45 ], and 3 performed toxicological analyses of açaí in experimental models [ 46 – 48 ]. For the interventions used in the experimental models, 4 studies used chemically induced cancer models [ 40 , 41 , 43 ], 2 used inoculation of tumor cells [ 44 , 45 ], and 3 used models with DNA damage induced by a chemotherapeutic agent [ 46 – 48 ].…”

“…Among the 9 studies that were included, 6 evaluated the pharmacological effects of açaí in experimental models of cancer, including esophageal [ 40 ], urothelial [ 41 ], and colon cancer [ 42 , 43 ], and melanoma [ 44 ] and Walker-256 tumors [ 45 ], and 3 performed toxicological analyses of açaí in experimental models [ 46 – 48 ]. For the interventions used in the experimental models, 4 studies used chemically induced cancer models [ 40 , 41 , 43 ], 2 used inoculation of tumor cells [ 44 , 45 ], and 3 used models with DNA damage induced by a chemotherapeutic agent [ 46 – 48 ]. The studies involved 2 species and 6 varieties of rodents: C57BL/6 mice [ 44 ], F344 rats [ 40 ], Wistar rats [ 42 , 45 , 47 , 48 ], Swiss mice [ 41 , 46 ], ICR mice [ 43 ] and Balb/c mice [ 48 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

“…For the interventions used in the experimental models, 4 studies used chemically induced cancer models [ 40 , 41 , 43 ], 2 used inoculation of tumor cells [ 44 , 45 ], and 3 used models with DNA damage induced by a chemotherapeutic agent [ 46 – 48 ]. The studies involved 2 species and 6 varieties of rodents: C57BL/6 mice [ 44 ], F344 rats [ 40 ], Wistar rats [ 42 , 45 , 47 , 48 ], Swiss mice [ 41 , 46 ], ICR mice [ 43 ] and Balb/c mice [ 48 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

“…Table 2 shows the basic information about the açaí extract used in the experimental models. The most commonly used açaí fraction was the pulp [ 40 – 43 , 46 ], followed by the juice [ 48 ], oil [ 44 , 47 ] and seeds [ 45 ]. Seven studies mentioned the açaí origin, and all of the açaí extracts were from Brazil [ 40 – 43 , 45 – 47 ].…”

“…The most commonly used açaí fraction was the pulp [ 40 – 43 , 46 ], followed by the juice [ 48 ], oil [ 44 , 47 ] and seeds [ 45 ]. Seven studies mentioned the açaí origin, and all of the açaí extracts were from Brazil [ 40 – 43 , 45 – 47 ]. The main administration route of açaí was oral; 4 studies administered açaí by gavage [ 45 – 48 ], and 4 studies administered açaí as part of the diet [ 40 – 43 ].…”