Selenium Supplementation of Amaranth Sprouts Influences Betacyanin Content and Improves Anti-Inflammatory Properties via NFκB in Murine RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Abstract

Sprouts contain potent compounds which while influencing crucial transduction pathways in cell reveal anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. In this study, we report the biological activity for seeds and colourful sprouts of four types of edible amaranth, as amaranth has recently attracted interest due to its appreciable nutritional value. MTT assay conducted for the amaranth seeds and sprouts did not show any adverse effect on the viability of murine RAW 264.7 cells. As amaranth accumulates selenium, the sprouts were supplemented with this trace element (10 mg/L; 15 mg/L Se as sodium selenite) while growing. Selenium concentration in sprouts was observed to be significantly correlated with betacyanins content of the tested species. The amounts of Se and betacyanins in sprouts varied for various Amaranth species. In the present study, Amaranthus cruentus sprouts with the highest betacyanins (19.30 ± 0.57–28.85 ± 2.23 mg of amaranthin/100 g of fresh weight) and high total selenium (22.51 ± 1.57–1044.75 ± 73.08 μg/L in methanol extracts) content prevented NFκB translocation to the cell nucleus and subsequently exerted an anti-inflammatory effect by significant decreasing inflammatory interleukin 6 production (587.3 ± 34.2–710.0 ± 88.1 pg/mL) in the cell culture of activated RAW 264.7 macrophages (vs LPS control 1520 ± 114 pg/mL).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12011-015-0429-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Phytochemicals in quinoa and amaranth grains and their antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and potential health beneficial effects: a review

“…Decrease of NO and increases in NO 3 − and NO 2 − levels are indications of the overall performance of people involved in vigorous physical activities or sports. Selenium and betacyanins in edible amaranth seed sprouts were found to prevent NFκB translocation to the cell nucleus and showed anti‐inflammatory effect by significantly decrease the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐6 in RAW 264.7 macrophages . Effect of phytochemicals on the major inflammatory cytokines is shown in Fig.…”

Identification of Predominant Phytochemical Compounds and Cytotoxic Activity of Wild Olive Leaves (Olea europaea L. ssp. sylvestris) Harvested in South Portugal

“…To determine cytotoxicity of the tested WOLE, MTT assay was performed as described elsewhere . Briefly, cells were seeded into a 96‐well plate ( Falcon ) at a density of 2 × 10 4 cells/well in 200 μl of medium.…”

“…To determine cytotoxicity of the tested WOLE, MTT assay was performed as described elsewhere. [40] Briefly, cells were seeded into a 96-well plate (Falcon) at a density of 2 9 10 4 cells/well in 200 ll of medium. The cells were incubated with different concentrations of WOLE (1 -100 lg/ml) for 24 h, with positive (cells cultured in a medium; 100% of growth) and negative (cells with the addition of 20 mM/l hydrogen peroxide) controls.…”

Functional Value of Amaranth as Applied to Sports Nutrition

“…• Stress and other external crop factors can influence their nutritional value [99] and in consequence its clinical outcomes. • Enrichment with selenium of Amaranthus cruentus improved its anti-inflammatory effect in rat models, very likely due to its increased content in betacyanins and selenium which significantly decreased inflammatory interleukin 6 production [100].…”