Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Cancer Properties of Amygdalin Extracted from Three Cassava Varieties Cultivated in Benin

Abstract

Given that cancer is a disease that is rampant in the world and especially in Africa, where the population has enormous difficulty treating it, plants are a safer and less expensive alternative. Cassava is a plant species valued in Benin because of its numerous medicinal and nutritional virtues. This study evaluated the biological activities of amygdalin from the organs of three cassava varieties most commonly produced in Benin (BEN, RB, and MJ). HPLC analysis was used to quantify amygdalin in cassava organs and derivatives. Phytochemical screening was performed to determine secondary metabolite groups. DPPH and FRAP methods were used to assess antioxidant activity. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was tested on Artemia salina larvae. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vivo in an albino mouse paw edema model induced by 5% formalin. The anticancer activity was evaluated in vivo on Wistar rats rendered cancerous by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) using 5-fluorouracil as a reference molecule. The results showed that the organs of all three-cassava varieties contained glycosides, flavonoids, saponosides, steroids, tannins, coumarins, and cyanogenic derivatives. Young stems and fresh cassava leaves had the highest amygdalin concentrations, with 11,142.99 µg 10 g−1 and 9251.14 µg 10 g−1, respectively. The Agbeli derivative was more concentrated in amygdalin, with a content of 401.56 µg 10 g−1 than the other derivatives. The antioxidant activity results showed that the amygdalin extracts were DPPH radical scavengers with IC50 values ranging from 0.18 mg mL−1 to 2.35 mg mL−1. The cytotoxicity test showed no toxicity of the extracts toward shrimp larvae. Administration of amygdalin extracts from the leaves of BEN and MJ varieties prevents inflammatory edema. The percentages of edema inhibition varied between 21.77% and 27.89%. These values are similar (p > 0.05) to those of acetylsalicylic acid (25.20%). Amygdalin extract of the BEN variety significantly (p < 0.0001) reduces edema. Both BEN extracts inhibited cancer induction with DMH. In preventive and curative treatments, rats fed with amygdalin extracts showed low anti-cancer activity under the effect of DMH and a significant difference in biochemical results. Thus, the organs of all three cassava varieties studied have secondary metabolites and good antioxidant activity. The leaves contain high levels of amygdalin and can be used as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.

Mandelonitrile lyase MDL2-mediated regulation of seed amygdalin and oil accumulation of Prunus Sibirica

“…In this work, an obvious variation on the contents of amygdalin (0.051−5.314%) and mandelonitrile (0.004−0.317%) was detected in seeds across different accessions of P. sibirica (Fig. 1 a), as was also noted in several Prunus species from different regions [ 55 – 59 ]. Also, both mandelonitrile and amygdalin accumulation specially responded to seed development of P. sibirica (Fig.…”

Molecular docking study on acetylcholinesterase and urease enzyme inhibition effects of Amygdalin

“…Among these, young stems and fresh cassava leaves exhibited the highest concentrations of amygdalin, with 11,142.99 µg per 10 g and 9251.14 µg per 10 g, respectively. The antioxidant activity results showed that the amygdalin extracts were DPPH radical scavengers with IC50 values ranging from 0.18 mg/mL to 2.35 mg/mL [42]. Based on these results, it can be concluded that these extracts possess a considerably high concentration of amygdalin.…”

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)—A potential source of phytochemicals, food, and nutrition—An updated review

“…In recognition of the abundance of phytochemicals in cassava, it is recognized as a plant that is both edible and therapeutic. According to research, cassava leaves, stems, and extracts have wound-healing, anticancer, and hypotensive properties (Lehmane et al, 2023). Cassava might be used as a nutritious meal with careful processing to remove contaminants, and its bioactive components show promise for therapeutic purposes.…”