Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant, and Anti-Proliferative Activities Against Human Colorectal Cancer Cells of Amazonian Fruits Copoazú (Theobroma grandiflorum) and Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa)

Abstract

Amazonian fruits are a source of bioactive compounds, among which phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and carotenes stand out. These compounds play a crucial role in restoring oxidative balance, consequently reducing the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the content of these metabolites and their biological properties may vary significantly depending on the geographical location and the environmental conditions where plants grow. This research assessed the content of metabolites, free radical scavenging capacity, and hemolytic and antiproliferative effects of the hydro-methanolic extracts of the Amazonian fruits Theobroma grandiflorum and Mauritia flexuosa. The results revealed that the extracts derived from the seeds of Theobroma grandiflorum sourced from the Balcanes experimental farm and the pulp of Mauritia flexuosa harvested in Florencia exhibited higher contents compared to other analyzed sites: Total phenolic content (TPC) (619.41 ± 12.05 and 285.75 ± 10.06 mg GAE/100 g FW), Total flavonoid content (TFC) (569.09 ± 4.51 and 223.21 ± 3.92 mg CAT/100 g FW), and Total carotenoid content (TCC) (25.12 ± 0.16 and 48.00 ± 0.28 mg eq β-carotene/100 g FW), respectively. Also, these samples demonstrated superior scavenging capacities for the ABTS and DPPH radicals, while the peel of Mauritia flexuosa exhibited the highest scavenging capacity for the oxygen radical (526.23 ± 2.08 µmol Trolox.g^-1). The hemolytic effect shows dose-dependent responses with IC50 values of 27.73 μg/mL for the Balcanes seeds and 1.27 μg/mL for the Florencia pulp. Furthermore, it was observed that treatment with the fruit-derived extracts effectively reduced the number of viable human colorectal cancer cells, using SW480 ATCC cell line, demonstrating a non-dose-dependent behavior compared to the control cells.

Keywords: Mauritia flexuosa; Theobroma grandiflorum; antioxidant; antiproliferative.

Figure 1

Principal Component Analysis reveals differences in antioxidant metabolites among T. grandiflorum seeds and M. flexuosa pulp at the different harvest sites. (A) PCA from T. grandiflorum and (B) PCA for M. flexuosa. * Interaction Part of the fruit and Sampling site.

Figure 2

Ex-Vivo Human Red Blood Cell Hemolysis Assay. (A) Peel of M. flexuosa from Florencia. (B) Pulp M. flexuosa from Florencia. (C) Peel M. flexuosa from montañita. (D) Pulp of M. flexuosa from montañita. (E) Seed T. grandiflora from Versalles. (F) Seed T. grandiflora from Balcanes. (G) Seed T. grandiflora from Caraño. Data are depicted as mean ± SEM from three independent assays conducted in triplicate. Results were compared to the Hemolysis Control using Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests. Significance levels are indicated as follows: p < 0.05 *, p < 0.001 **, p < 0.0001 ***, p < 0.00001 ****. MC: Medium Control, HC: Hemolysis Control.

Figure 3

SW480 ATCC Cell viability Assay. Effect of T. grandiflorum and M. flexuosa fruits on the cell viability of SW480 ATCC cells. (A) Peel of M. flexuosa Florencia. (B) Pulp of M. flexuosa Florencia. (C) Peel of M. flexuosa montañita. (D) Pulp of M. flexuosa montañita. (E) Seed of T. grandiflora Versalles. (F) Seed of T. grandiflora Balcanes. (G) Seed of T. grandiflora Caraño. Data are depicted as mean ± SEM from three independent assays conducted in triplicate. Results were compared to the medium control using Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests. Significance levels are indicated as follows: p < 0.05 *, p < 0.001 **, p < 0.0001 ***, p < 0.00001 ****. MC: Medium Control, DC: Death Control.