Antitumor activity against murine lymphoma L5178Y model of proteins from cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) seeds in relation with in vitro antioxidant activity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recently, proteins and peptides have become an added value to foodstuffs due to new knowledge about its structural analyses as related to antioxidant and anticancer activity. Our goal was to evaluate if protein fractions from cacao seeds show antitumor activity on lymphoma murine L5178Y model. The antioxidant activity of these fractions was also evaluated with the aim of finding a correlation with the antitumor activity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Differential extraction of proteins from unfermented and semi-fermented-dry cacao seeds was performed and characterized by SDS-PAGE and FPLC size-exclusion chromatography. Antitumor activity was evaluated against murine lymphoma L5178Y in BALB/c mice (6 × 10⁴cells i.p.), with a treatment oral dose of 25 mg/kg/day of each protein fraction, over a period of 15 days. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ABTS⁺and ORAC-FL assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Albumin, globulin and glutelin fractions from both cacao seed type were obtained by differential solubility extraction. Glutelins were the predominant fraction. In the albumin fraction, polypeptides of 42.3 and 8.5 kDa were found in native conditions, presumably in the form of two peptide chains of 21.5 kDa each one. The globulin fraction presented polypeptides of 86 and 57 kDa in unfermented cacao seed that produced the specific-cacao aroma precursors, and after fermentation the polypeptides were of 45 and 39 kDa. The glutelin fraction presented proteins >200 kDa and globulins components <100 KDa in lesser proportion. Regarding the semifermented-dry cacao seed, it was observed that the albumin fraction showed antitumoral activity, since it caused significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the ascetic fluid volume and packed cell volume, inhibiting cell growth in 59.98 ± 13.6% at 60% of the population; while the greatest antioxidant capacity due to free radical scavenging capacity was showed by the albumin and glutelin fraction in both methods assayed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study is the first report on the biological activity of semifermented-dry cacao protein fractions with their identification, supporting the traditional use of the plant. The albumin fraction showed antitumor and free radical scavenging capacity, however both activities were not correlated. The protein fractions could be considered as source of potential antitumor peptides.</p

Polyamines as biomarkers of the antitumoral activity of Bursera fagaroides

In normal and tumoral cells, the polyamines (PAs) putrescine (Pu), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) are required in multiple fundamental cell cycle functions. High levels of PAs have been reported in many types of cancer, which is why they were proposed as biomarkers of cancer growth. In the present work, their utility as biomarkers of the evolution of the murine L5178Y lymphoma is reported in different body fluids, cells and tissues. Findings were also applied to the follow-up of the previously reported anti-tumor effect of Bursera fagaroides. Cation exchange chromatography was used to determine the PAs levels in urine, peritoneal cells, circulating lymphocytes, spleenocytes, mesothelium and liver of BALB/c mice at days 10, 17 and 24 of tumoral evolution. PAs levels were also measured in urine from mice treated, intraperitoneally or orally, with the hydroalcoholic extract of the bark of B. fagaroides. Spd and Spm urinary levels were not detectable, while Pu increase in urine is the best biomarker to detect lymphoma growth. Furthermore, Pu urinary levels decreased significantly in mice treated intraperitoneally with B. fagaroides. In this model, variations of the Pu urinary level is an effective biomarker of neoplastic growth as it allows to follow the evolution of L5178Y lymphoma, providing an in vivo assay for the antitumoral effect of B. fagaroides and other drugs

Communication Power

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar el efecto del extracto acuoso de Bursera fagaroides y Difluorometilornitina (DFMO), aplicados de forma individual y combinados, sobre los tejidos sanos en el modelo de linfoma murino L5178Y y específicamente sobre el metabolismo de las poliaminas (PAs), Putresina (Pu), Espermidina (Spd) y Espermina (Spm). Mediante cromatografía de intercambio iúnico se determinaron los niveles de Pu en orina como indicadores de la evolución del tumor, mientras por radioinmunoensayo se cuantificó la actividad de la ODC renal. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que no se combine la ingestión de algún tipo de té o brebaje preparado con dicha planta cuando se administre DFMO, dado su efecto estimulador del desarrollo tumoral, contrario al efecto anticáncer del extracto hidroalcohólico de la misma planta

Communication Power

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar el efecto del extracto acuoso de Bursera fagaroides y Difluorometilornitina (DFMO), aplicados de forma individual y combinados, sobre los tejidos sanos en el modelo de linfoma murino L5178Y y específicamente sobre el metabolismo de las poliaminas (PAs), Putresina (Pu), Espermidina (Spd) y Espermina (Spm). Mediante cromatografía de intercambio iónico se determinaron los niveles de Pu en orina como indicadores de la evolución del tumor, mientras por radioinmunoensayo se cuantificó la actividad de la ODC renal. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que no se combine la ingestión de algún tipo de té o brebaje preparado con dicha planta cuando se administre DFMO, dado su efecto estimulador del desarrollo tumoral, contrario al efecto anticáncer del extracto hidroalcohólico de la misma planta

Bursera fagaroides, effect of an ethanolic extract on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in vitro and on the growth of Entamoeba histolytica

The effect of an ethanolic extract from the stem bark of Bursera fagaroides on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in vitro and on the growth of Entamoeba histolytica was evaluated. For this purpose, increasing concentrations of the extract, up to 8.0 mg/mL, were added to amoeba cultures or ODC reaction mixtures, which were incubated at 37 �C. Metronidazole and G418 were added as controls. After 1.5 and 72 h, the ODC activity in vitro and growth, respectively, were determined. Results revealed a strong inhibition of growth with IC50 values on the order of 0.05 mg/mL. ODC activity, on the other hand, was inhibited by 12% and 50% at concentrations of 4.0 and 8.0 mg/mL, respectively. � 2008