Análise da atividade antiproliferativa do óleo e do extrato hidroalcóolico da semente de Euterpe oleracea Mart. em linhagem celular de câncer gástrico

Abstract

Introduction: Gastric cancer is one of the main causes of mortality due to neoplasia in the world, and the search for safer and more effective alternative therapies is urgent. Euterpe oleracea Mart., popularly known as açaí, has several bioactive compounds with pharmacological potential, including antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative activity of the hydroalcoholic extract and the seed oil of açaí on AGS (human gastric adenocarcinoma) cells, as well as to characterize the morphological changes caused. Methodology: The hydroalcoholic extract was obtained by percolation using 70% ethanol, followed by concentration and lyophilization. The seed oil was extracted by the Soxhlet method using n-hexane. The hexane and ethyl acetate fractions were also found by liquid-liquid partition. AGS cells were treated with concentrations of 3,125 to 250 μg/mL of the extracts and oils for 24, 48, and 72 hours, and cell predictions were made by the MTT assay. Morphological analysis was performed by light microscopy, with image capture at the treatment times. Results: The results found that the hydroalcoholic extract presented greater cytotoxic activity compared to the oil. After 48 hours of exposure, the extract reached an IC50 of 40.46 μg/mL, while the oil obtained an IC50 of 54.91 μg/mL. At 72 hours, the extract maintained its efficacy (IC50 of 29.89 μg/mL), while the oil demonstrated lower activity (IC50 of 138.50 μg/mL). Morphological analysis revealed that treatment with the extract promoted changes in cell morphology, such as rounding, cytoplasmic retraction and vacuole formation, effects similar to those observed with the positive control Docetaxel (10μg/mL). The extract fractions indicated that the hexane fraction showed a 50% reduction in the predicted concentration from 25 μg/mL in 24 hours, while the ethyl acetate fraction showed a later effect, only between 150 and 200 μg/mL. Conclusion: It is concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of the seed of Euterpe oleracea Mart. exerts a relevant antiproliferative effect on AGS cells, promoting morphological changes compatible with progressive cytotoxicity. These findings reinforce the therapeutic potential of açaí as a source of natural compounds with antitumor action, especially in gastric cancer models, opening new perspectives for future research in complementary therapies and bioactive products.