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. 2024 Nov 28;16(11):e74701.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.74701. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Bromelia pinguin Extract Mitigates Glyphosate-Induced Toxicity in Human Cells

Luis Omar Masías-Ambriz  1 , Mario Daniel Caba-Flores  2 , Nereida Montes-Castro  3 , Israel García-Aguiar  3 , Ruben Ruiz-Ramos  4 , Edgar Zenteno  5 , Carmen Martínez-Valenzuela  1
Affiliations

Bromelia pinguin Extract Mitigates Glyphosate-Induced Toxicity in Human Cells

Luis Omar Masías-Ambriz et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction: Extensive agricultural activity results in significant exposure to pesticides, particularly glyphosate, which has been linked to immunological disorders, including apoptosis and inflammation. Bromelia pinguin, a species from the Bromeliaceaefamily native to Mexico, is traditionally used in folk medicine for its medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. This research aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Bromelia pinguin extract on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) exposed to Faena®, a commercially available glyphosate-based herbicide.

Methods: PBMCs were isolated from healthy donors. Cells were exposed to varying concentrations of glyphosate commercial formulation Faena®, pure potassium glyphosate salts, and Bromelia pinguin extract alone and in co-exposure studies with the extract. Dose-response curves were performed to determine IC50. Cell viability was assessed, and the expression of inflammatory and apoptotic markers, including Caspase-1, NLRP3, and PARP-1, was analyzed.

Results: Exposure of PBMCs to glyphosate salts and Faena® resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of cell viability, with IC50 values of 669.376 µg/mL and 6.555 µg/mL, respectively. Co-exposure of cells with Bromelia pinguin, extract significantly improved cell viability up to 25% in both herbicide-treated groups. Western blot analysis revealed increased levels of Caspase-1, NLRP3, and PARP-1 after herbicide exposure, indicating activation of apoptotic and inflammatory pathways. Treatment with Bromelia pinguin, extract mitigated the expression of these markers.

Conclusion: The extract of Bromelia pinguin can enhance cell viability and reduce the upregulation of inflammatory and apoptotic markers in human PBMCs exposed to glyphosate-based herbicides. These results provide new insights into the therapeutic potential of plant-based interventions in pesticide-induced immunological and inflammatory problems.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory; apoptosis; bromelia pingüin; caspase-1; cytotoxicity; glyphosate; nlrp3; parp-1; pbmc.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Bioethics Committee of the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico issued approval 28.10/2021. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: Luis Omar Masías Ambriz was a recipient of a PhD fellowship from CONAHCYT, Mexico (CVU: 851487). MDC-F acknowledges the support of the Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología, for the postdoctoral grant from the Estancias Posdoctorales por Mexico 2022(1) program. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Viability of PBMCs following exposure to increasing concentrations of Faena®.
The graph indicates viability percentages of PBMCs after 24, 48, and 72 hours of exposure to varying concentrations of Faena®. Cell viability percentages demonstrate a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect over time.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Viability of PBMCs following exposure to increasing concentrations of glyphosate salt.
Graph indicates viability percentages of PBMCs after 24, 48, and 72 hours of exposure to varying concentrations of glyphosate salts. Cell viability percentages demonstrate a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect over time.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Percentage of PBMCs viability under different treatment conditions.
The graph represents the viability of PBMCs subjected to various treatments at three-time points (24, 48, and 72 hours). Treatment groups include GS: Glyphosate salts, BP+F: Bromelia pinguin extract combined with Faena®,  BP+GS: Bromelia pinguin extract combined with glyphosate salts,  BP: Bromelia pinguin extract. * p<0.0001 compared to control group; #p<0.0001 compared to the respective herbicide treatment (GS or Faena®).
Figure 4
Figure 4. Densitometric analysis of PARP-1 protein levels.
The graph indicates PARP-1 expression across different treatments. BP: Bromelia pinguin extract, GS: glyphosate salts, BP+F: Bromelia pinguin extract combined with Faena®, BP+GS: Bromelia pinguin extract combined with glyphosate salts. Densitometric values are normalized to the control group and set at 100 %. Values ​​are expressed as means±S.D. *p<0.0001 compared to control group; #p<0.0001 compared to Faena® group.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Densitometric analysis of NLRP-3 protein levels.
The graph indicates NLRP-3 expression across different treatments. BP: Bromelia pinguin extract, GS: glyphosate salts, BP+F: Bromelia pinguin extract combined with Faena®, BP+GS: Bromelia pinguin extract combined with glyphosate salts.  Densitometric values are normalized to the control group, set at 100 %. Values ​​are expressed as means±SD *p<0.0001 compared to control.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Densitometric analysis of Caspase-1 protein levels.
The graph indicates Caspase-1 expression across different treatments. BP: Bromelia pinguin extract, GS: glyphosate salts, BP+F: Bromelia pinguin extract combined with Faena®, BP+GS: Bromelia pinguin extract combined with glyphosate salts. Densitometric values are normalized to the control group, set at 100 %. Values ​​are expressed as means±SD *p<0.0001 compared to control; #p<0.0001 compared to the respective herbicide treatment (GS or Faena®).
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