Neuroprotective Effects of Açaí (Euterpe oleraceaMart.) against RotenoneIn VitroExposure

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric diseases, such as bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SCZ), have a very complex pathophysiology. Several current studies describe an association between psychiatric illness and mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent cellular modifications, including lipid, protein, and DNA damage, caused by cellular oxidative stress. Euterpe oleracea (açaí) is a powerful antioxidant fruit. Açaí is an Amazonian palm fruit primarily found in the lowlands of the Amazonian rainforest, particularly in the floodplains of the Amazon River. Given this proposed association, this study analyzed the potential in vitro neuropharmacological effect of Euterpe oleracea (açaí) extract in the modulation of mitochondrial function and oxidative metabolism. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with rotenone to induce mitochondrial complex I dysfunction and before and after we exposed the cells to açaí extract at 5 μg/mL. Treated and untreated cells were then analyzed by spectrophotometric, fluorescent, immunological, and molecular assays. The results showed that açaí extract can potentially increase protein amount and enzyme activity of mitochondrial complex I, mainly through NDUFS7 and NDUFS8 overexpression. Açaí extract was also able to decrease cell reactive oxygen species levels and lipid peroxidation. We thus suggest açaí as a potential candidate for drug development and a possible alternative BD therapy.

Pre‐harvest factors related to sensory profile of Passiflora setacea nectars, a wild passion fruit from Brazilian savannah

“…Diets rich in polyphenolic compounds and in soluble/insoluble fibers have been correlated to the maintenance of good health in humans . The Passiflora seeds show good levels of these category of compounds, but have been discarded by the pulp agroindustry in Brazil .…”

“…[15][16][17] Diets rich in polyphenolic compounds and in soluble/insoluble fibers have been correlated to the maintenance of good health in humans. 18,19 The Passiflora seeds show good levels of these category of compounds, but have been discarded by the pulp agroindustry in Brazil. 20 Passiflora setacea stands out for its high content of polyphenolic compounds, which are mainly concentrated in the seeds, 26 times higher than that found in the commercial passion fruit P. edulis Sims [P. setacea seeds presents 5018 mg catechin equivalent/100 g, higher than P. edulis seeds (193 mg catechin equivalent/100 g), according to Vieira (2013)], 20 so it could be a good ingredient to enhance nectar phytochemical quality, and to reduce waste in the pulp agroindustry.…”

The Use of Euterpe oleracea Mart. As a New Perspective for Disease Treatment and Prevention

“…EO extract and isolated metabolites such as (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, cyaniding glucoside, cyaniding rutinoside caused loss of thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence, with cyaniding glucoside also disrupting Aβ 1–42 fibril and aggregate morphology [ 86 ]. A study by Machado et al [ 87 ] suggested the use of EO as an alternative therapy for the treatment of bipolar disorder associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and cell oxidative stress. Exposure to EO extract increased enzyme activity of the mitochondrial complex I, amounts of proteins and, mainly, protein overexpression in mitochondrial complex I Q module subunits NDUFS7 and NDUFS8, and reduced levels of ROS and cellular lipid peroxidation.…”

Die Kraftwerke der Zellen- über die Behandlung von psychiatrischen Symptomen bei Patienten mit Mitochondriopathien

“…In Tierstudien und in-vitro werden bereits Substanzen zur Behandlung von psychiatrischen Erkrankungen durch pharmakologische Beeinflussung der Atmungskette erprobt [25][26][27]. Im Mausmodell konnten anxiolytische Effekte nach Gabe eines mitochondrienspezifischen Antioxidans erzielt werden [28].…”