Avaliação da capacidade antitumoral do extrato de pequi

Abstract

Cancer is the term used to characterize the exacerbation of cell growth, with the ability to spread to other tissues. According to the pathogenesis of cancer, it is known that numerous events can contribute to abnormal cell growth. The objective is to evaluate the ability of pequi oil to trigger cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The viability was verified in cancer cells and in non-cancerous mononuclear cells exposed to the extract at different concentrations, being carried out in oil and in hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions. The production of a reactive oxygen species -(superoxide anion) and the activity of the antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase) were also quantified with the fractions of better viability with pequi extracts. It was noted that there was no toxic effect for non-cancerous mononuclear cells, however, in MCF-7 cells, viability decreased. The release of superoxide anion was not induced by pequi oil in mononuclear cells. In breast cancer cells, there was an increase in ROS release. As for SOD activity, there was an increase in both cell types tested. Pequi extracts induce antioxidant activity by decreasing oxidative stress, indicating protection against carcinogenesis and may reduce trauma suffered during cancer therapies, complementing the treatment.