Julio Pieczarka | Universidade Federal do Pará (original) (raw)

Papers by Julio Pieczarka

Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2020

Ovary fragments from six sexually mature cats were vitrified in the presence or absence of betain... more Ovary fragments from six sexually mature cats were vitrified in the presence or absence of betaine or ascorbic acid, loaded (7.4 or 74µM betaine; 20 or 200µM ascorbic acid) or not (1mM betaine or 0.3mM ascorbic acid) into CaCO3 microparticles, and assessed for follicular morphology, oxidative stress and mitochondrial activity Feline ovarian tissue was successfully preserved after vitrification in the presence of 74µM betaine loaded in CaCO3 microparticles, as confirmed by morphological analysis and the density of preantral follicles and stromal cells, as well as by the increased mitochondrial activity and decreased production of reactive oxygen species.

PloS one, 2017

The Neacomys genus (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) is distributed in the Amazon region, with some speci... more The Neacomys genus (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) is distributed in the Amazon region, with some species limited to a single endemic area, while others may occur more widely. The number of species within the genus and their geographical boundaries are not known accurately, due to their high genetic diversity and difficulties in taxonomic identification. In this work we collected Neacomys specimens from both banks of the Tapajós River in eastern Amazon, and studied them using chromosome painting with whole chromosome probes of Hylaeamys megacephalus (HME; Rodentia, Sigmodontinae), and molecular analysis using haplotypes of mitochondrial genes COI and Cytb. Chromosome painting shows that Neacomys sp. A (NSP-A, 2n = 58/FN = 68) and Neacomys sp. B (NSP-B, 2n = 54/FN = 66) differ by 11 fusion/fission events, one translocation, four pericentric inversions and four heterochromatin amplification events. Using haplotypes of the concatenated mitochondrial genes COI and Cyt b, Neacomys sp. (2n = 58...

Biopreservation and Biobanking, Feb 1, 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different media with or without phenol re... more The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different media with or without phenol red or the antioxidant trolox on the successful vitrification of feline ovarian tissue. In a first experiment, ovarian cortical pieces from three cats were vitrified in solutions of Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI)-1640 medium, Minimum Essential Medium, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, or Tissue Culture Medium 199 as basic medium, supplemented or not with 50 μM of trolox, all containing 40% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1 M of sucrose. RPMI-1640 (phenol red-free) without trolox was the only medium that preserved the percentage of morphologically normal preantral follicles similar to control (80%). The main difference between RPMI-1640 and the other media was the absence of phenol red and CaCl2. In a second experiment, ovarian cortical pieces from three cats were vitrified in a solution containing RPMI-1640 as basic medium, 40% EG, 1 M of sucrose, supplemented or not with phenol red or CaCl2 alone, or in combination. It was observed that phenol red supplementation led to follicular degeneration. Finally, to evaluate the interaction between phenol red and the cryoprotectant agent (i.e., EG), ovarian tissue was exposed to RPMI-1640 supplemented with phenol red and EG at different concentrations (10%, 20%, or 40%). There was an inverse relationship between EG concentration and free phenol red in the medium after exposure. It is suggested that vitrification of feline ovarian tissue should be performed in a phenol red-free medium. Medium supplementation with 50 μM of trolox was deleterious for follicular morphology.

Molecules

The alkaloids isolated from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium have demonstrated great pharmacological potent... more The alkaloids isolated from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium have demonstrated great pharmacological potential; however, the toxic profiles of these extracts and fractions are still not well elucidated. This study evaluated the toxicity of the ethanol extract (EEZR) and neutral (FNZR) and alkaloid (FAZR) fractions. Chemical characterization was performed by chromatographic methods: thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC–DAD). The cytotoxicity of the samples was evaluated in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells using the cell viability method (MTT) and mutagenicity by the Allium cepa assay (ACA). Alkaloids isolated from the species were selected for toxicity prediction using preADMET and PROTOX. The molecular docking of the topoisomerase II protein (TOPOII) was used to investigate the mechanism of cell damage. In the EEZR, FNZR, and FAZR, the presence of alkaloids was detected in TCL and HPLC–DAD analyses. The...

Scientific Reports

X-autosome translocation (XY1Y2) has been reported in distinct groups of vertebrates suggesting t... more X-autosome translocation (XY1Y2) has been reported in distinct groups of vertebrates suggesting that the rise of a multiple sex system within a species may act as a reproductive barrier and lead to speciation. The viability of this system has been linked with repetitive sequences located between sex and autosomal portions of the translocation. Herein, we investigate Oecomys auyantepui, using chromosome banding and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with telomeric and Hylaeamys megacephalus whole-chromosome probes, and phylogenetic reconstruction using mtDNA and nuDNA sequences. We describe an amended karyotype for O. auyantepui (2n = 64♀65♂/FNa = 84) and report for the first time a multiple sex system (XX/XY1Y2) in Oryzomyini rodents. Molecular data recovered O. auyantepui as a monophyletic taxon with high support and cytogenetic data indicate that O. auyantepui may exist in two lineages recognized by distinct sex systems. The Neo-X exhibits repetitive sequences located between sex ...

Frontiers in Genetics, 2022

The genus Gymnotus is a large monophyletic group of freshwater weakly-electric fishes, with wide ... more The genus Gymnotus is a large monophyletic group of freshwater weakly-electric fishes, with wide distribution in Central and South America. It has 46 valid species divided into six subgenera (Gymnotus, Tijax, Tigre, Lamontianus, Tigrinus and Pantherus) with large chromosome plasticity and diploid numbers (2n) ranging from 34 to 54. Within this rich diversity, there is controversy about whether Gymnotus (Gymnotus) carapo species is a single widespread species or a complex of cryptic species. Cytogenetic studies show different diploid numbers for G. carapo species, ranging from 40 to 54 chromosomes with varied karyotypes found even between populations sharing the same 2n. Whole chromosome painting has been used in studies on fish species and recently has been used for tracking the chromosomal evolution of Gymnotus and assisting in its cytotaxonomy. Comparative genomic mapping using chromosome painting has shown more complex rearrangements in Gymnotus carapo than shown in previous stud...

Revista brasileira de genetica, 1989

Journal of Nanomaterials, 2017

Andiroba oil (AO) is obtained from an Amazonian plant and is used in traditional medicine. We car... more Andiroba oil (AO) is obtained from an Amazonian plant and is used in traditional medicine. We carried out a comparative study to test the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and hematotoxicity of the oil and its nanoemulsion (AN) in vitro (fibroblasts, lineage NIH/3T3) and in vivo (Swiss mice). The AN was characterized by DLS/Zeta, and its stability was investigated for 120 days. The biological activity of AN was assessed in vitro by MTT test and cell morphology analyses and in vivo by micronucleus, comet, and hematotoxicity tests. The AN presented a hydrodynamic diameter (Hd) of 142.5±3.0 and PDI of 0.272±0.007 and good stability at room temperature. The MTT test evidenced the cytotoxicity of AO and of AN only at their highest concentrations, but AN showed lower cytotoxicity than AO. A lower cytotoxicity of AN, when compared to AO, is in fact an interesting data suggesting that during therapeutic application there will be a lower impact in the cell viability of healthy cells. Cytotoxicity,...

Scientific Reports, 2019

Multiple sex chromosome systems have been described for several mammalian orders, with different ... more Multiple sex chromosome systems have been described for several mammalian orders, with different species from the same genus sharing the same system (e.g., X1X2Y or XY1Y2). This is important because the translocated autosome may be influenced by the evolution of the recipient sex chromosome, and this may be related to speciation. It is often thought that the translocation of an autosome to a sex chromosome may share a common origin among phylogenetically related species. However, the neo-X chromosomes of Proechimys goeldii (2n = 24♀, 25♂/NFa = 42) and Proechimys gr. goeldii (2n = 16♀, 17♂/NFa = 14) have distinct sizes and morphologies that have made it difficult to determine whether they have the same or different origins. This study investigates the origins of the XY1Y2 sex chromosome determination system in P. goeldii (PGO) and P. gr. goeldii (PGG) and elucidates the chromosomal rearrangements in this low-diploid-number group of Proechimys species. Toward this end, we produced who...

Chromosome Research, Jun 18, 2013

Herpetologica, Dec 1, 2012

Abstract: Supernumerary or B chromosomes are one of the main causes for numerical chromosomal var... more Abstract: Supernumerary or B chromosomes are one of the main causes for numerical chromosomal variation in higher eukaryotes. These extragenetic elements have been studied for more than a century, with the goal of trying to understand their origin, and how they survive as a polymorphism in natural populations. Hypsiboas albopunctatus is a nocturnal hylid frog distributed in the central–eastern part of South America. Previously, variation in chromosome numbers was described for a population from Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil, in which a single small-sized, metacentric B chromosome was present in ca. 40% of the analyzed individuals (n = 17). We herein describe the presence of B chromosomes in populations of H. albopunctatus from northeastern Argentina (Corrientes and Misiones provinces), with unusual morphological and structural characteristics. The frequency of B chromosomes varied significantly among analyzed populations. We found four diploid numbers (2N = 22, 22 + 1B, 22 + 2B, and 22 + 3B), and in a few individuals mitotic instability occurred. C banding revealed variations in the heterochromatin (DAPI+) pattern between Bs with similar morphology, indicating the existence of two new structural variants of these supernumerary elements in H. albopunctatus (B1 and B2). Nucleolar organizer regions marked positively on the eighth pair, coincident with the location of ribosomal DNA as demonstrated with fluorescent in situ hybridization, but Bs did not mark positive with these two techniques. Also, fluorescent in situ hybridization with telomeric probes showed no differences in location and intensity between Bs and autosomal chromosomes. The present communication is the first case of B chromosome polymorphisms in hylid frogs and the sixth reported in Anura.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Jun 1, 2021

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic used in the fight against many types of cancer. ... more Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic used in the fight against many types of cancer. Although it is quite effective for this purpose, its clinical use is limited by its severe side effects, highlighting the relevance of efforts to identify substances that act to minimize these effects. In this work, we sought to verify the ability of andiroba oil (AO) and a nanoemulsion of andiroba oil (AN) to lessen the side effects of DOX. The animals were separated into 7 groups with 6 animals each: mice treated with AO (2000 mg/kg), AN (2000 mg/kg), the antineoplastic agent DOX (40 mg/kg), AO+DOX, AN+DOX and solvent controls was used of negative control (corn oil and nanoemulsion surfactant). AO and AN were administered for 14 consecutive days orally by gavage and on the 13th day, applied DOX by intraperitoneal route (i.p.), in order to evaluate the protective potential of andiroba. The animals were euthanized on the 15th day. Hematological, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical parameters were analyzed. Andiroba reduced several aspects of the severity of lesions caused by DOX, decreasing hematotoxicity and the severity of histological changes in the liver and kidneys, and reducing the frequency of apoptotic cell death. In many cases, AN showed greater efficacy than AO alone, reflecting the feasibility of using this nanotechnology to improve the pharmacokinetics of lipid compounds in the body. The study sheds new light on the therapeutic benefits of andiroba and suggests new ways for investigating how the quantity and quality of lipid compounds affect exposed organisms.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, Mar 9, 2020

Andiroba (Carapa guianensisAubl) is an Amazonian plant whose oil has been widely used in traditio... more Andiroba (Carapa guianensisAubl) is an Amazonian plant whose oil has been widely used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including anti‐inflammation. Research reports indicate that the oil can confer antitumor activity due to the presence of fatty acids, which can directly influence cell death mechanisms. Thus, andiroba oil (AO) has gained interest for its potential to be used in antineoplastic therapies. Here, we report an in vitro analysis of the cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of AO in the gastric cancer cell line, ACP02. Cell survival was assessed by the MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, differential staining with ethidium bromide and acridine orange assessed apoptosis‐necrosis, and mutagenesis was assessed by the micronucleus test. The apolar oil was first diluted in 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and then further diluted to six concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/mL and 1 mg/mL) in RPMI medium. Controls included RPMI alone (negative control) and 0.1% DMSO diluted in medium (vehicle control). The MTT test showed that AO significantly reduced cell viability (P< .05) only when the highest tested concentration was applied for 48 hours. The apoptosis/necrosis test showed that the highest concentration of AO induced cell death by apoptosis at 24 and 48 hours. There was no statistically significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei. The ability of the AO to decrease the viability of ACP02 cells via apoptosis, without exerting mutagenic effects, suggests that the oil could be useful as an alternative therapeutic agent for primary tumors of stomach cancer.

Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2020

Ovary fragments from six sexually mature cats were vitrified in the presence or absence of betain... more Ovary fragments from six sexually mature cats were vitrified in the presence or absence of betaine or ascorbic acid, loaded (7.4 or 74µM betaine; 20 or 200µM ascorbic acid) or not (1mM betaine or 0.3mM ascorbic acid) into CaCO3 microparticles, and assessed for follicular morphology, oxidative stress and mitochondrial activity Feline ovarian tissue was successfully preserved after vitrification in the presence of 74µM betaine loaded in CaCO3 microparticles, as confirmed by morphological analysis and the density of preantral follicles and stromal cells, as well as by the increased mitochondrial activity and decreased production of reactive oxygen species.

PloS one, 2017

The Neacomys genus (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) is distributed in the Amazon region, with some speci... more The Neacomys genus (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) is distributed in the Amazon region, with some species limited to a single endemic area, while others may occur more widely. The number of species within the genus and their geographical boundaries are not known accurately, due to their high genetic diversity and difficulties in taxonomic identification. In this work we collected Neacomys specimens from both banks of the Tapajós River in eastern Amazon, and studied them using chromosome painting with whole chromosome probes of Hylaeamys megacephalus (HME; Rodentia, Sigmodontinae), and molecular analysis using haplotypes of mitochondrial genes COI and Cytb. Chromosome painting shows that Neacomys sp. A (NSP-A, 2n = 58/FN = 68) and Neacomys sp. B (NSP-B, 2n = 54/FN = 66) differ by 11 fusion/fission events, one translocation, four pericentric inversions and four heterochromatin amplification events. Using haplotypes of the concatenated mitochondrial genes COI and Cyt b, Neacomys sp. (2n = 58...

Biopreservation and Biobanking, Feb 1, 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different media with or without phenol re... more The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different media with or without phenol red or the antioxidant trolox on the successful vitrification of feline ovarian tissue. In a first experiment, ovarian cortical pieces from three cats were vitrified in solutions of Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI)-1640 medium, Minimum Essential Medium, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, or Tissue Culture Medium 199 as basic medium, supplemented or not with 50 μM of trolox, all containing 40% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1 M of sucrose. RPMI-1640 (phenol red-free) without trolox was the only medium that preserved the percentage of morphologically normal preantral follicles similar to control (80%). The main difference between RPMI-1640 and the other media was the absence of phenol red and CaCl2. In a second experiment, ovarian cortical pieces from three cats were vitrified in a solution containing RPMI-1640 as basic medium, 40% EG, 1 M of sucrose, supplemented or not with phenol red or CaCl2 alone, or in combination. It was observed that phenol red supplementation led to follicular degeneration. Finally, to evaluate the interaction between phenol red and the cryoprotectant agent (i.e., EG), ovarian tissue was exposed to RPMI-1640 supplemented with phenol red and EG at different concentrations (10%, 20%, or 40%). There was an inverse relationship between EG concentration and free phenol red in the medium after exposure. It is suggested that vitrification of feline ovarian tissue should be performed in a phenol red-free medium. Medium supplementation with 50 μM of trolox was deleterious for follicular morphology.

Molecules

The alkaloids isolated from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium have demonstrated great pharmacological potent... more The alkaloids isolated from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium have demonstrated great pharmacological potential; however, the toxic profiles of these extracts and fractions are still not well elucidated. This study evaluated the toxicity of the ethanol extract (EEZR) and neutral (FNZR) and alkaloid (FAZR) fractions. Chemical characterization was performed by chromatographic methods: thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC–DAD). The cytotoxicity of the samples was evaluated in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells using the cell viability method (MTT) and mutagenicity by the Allium cepa assay (ACA). Alkaloids isolated from the species were selected for toxicity prediction using preADMET and PROTOX. The molecular docking of the topoisomerase II protein (TOPOII) was used to investigate the mechanism of cell damage. In the EEZR, FNZR, and FAZR, the presence of alkaloids was detected in TCL and HPLC–DAD analyses. The...

Scientific Reports

X-autosome translocation (XY1Y2) has been reported in distinct groups of vertebrates suggesting t... more X-autosome translocation (XY1Y2) has been reported in distinct groups of vertebrates suggesting that the rise of a multiple sex system within a species may act as a reproductive barrier and lead to speciation. The viability of this system has been linked with repetitive sequences located between sex and autosomal portions of the translocation. Herein, we investigate Oecomys auyantepui, using chromosome banding and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with telomeric and Hylaeamys megacephalus whole-chromosome probes, and phylogenetic reconstruction using mtDNA and nuDNA sequences. We describe an amended karyotype for O. auyantepui (2n = 64♀65♂/FNa = 84) and report for the first time a multiple sex system (XX/XY1Y2) in Oryzomyini rodents. Molecular data recovered O. auyantepui as a monophyletic taxon with high support and cytogenetic data indicate that O. auyantepui may exist in two lineages recognized by distinct sex systems. The Neo-X exhibits repetitive sequences located between sex ...

Frontiers in Genetics, 2022

The genus Gymnotus is a large monophyletic group of freshwater weakly-electric fishes, with wide ... more The genus Gymnotus is a large monophyletic group of freshwater weakly-electric fishes, with wide distribution in Central and South America. It has 46 valid species divided into six subgenera (Gymnotus, Tijax, Tigre, Lamontianus, Tigrinus and Pantherus) with large chromosome plasticity and diploid numbers (2n) ranging from 34 to 54. Within this rich diversity, there is controversy about whether Gymnotus (Gymnotus) carapo species is a single widespread species or a complex of cryptic species. Cytogenetic studies show different diploid numbers for G. carapo species, ranging from 40 to 54 chromosomes with varied karyotypes found even between populations sharing the same 2n. Whole chromosome painting has been used in studies on fish species and recently has been used for tracking the chromosomal evolution of Gymnotus and assisting in its cytotaxonomy. Comparative genomic mapping using chromosome painting has shown more complex rearrangements in Gymnotus carapo than shown in previous stud...

Revista brasileira de genetica, 1989

Journal of Nanomaterials, 2017

Andiroba oil (AO) is obtained from an Amazonian plant and is used in traditional medicine. We car... more Andiroba oil (AO) is obtained from an Amazonian plant and is used in traditional medicine. We carried out a comparative study to test the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and hematotoxicity of the oil and its nanoemulsion (AN) in vitro (fibroblasts, lineage NIH/3T3) and in vivo (Swiss mice). The AN was characterized by DLS/Zeta, and its stability was investigated for 120 days. The biological activity of AN was assessed in vitro by MTT test and cell morphology analyses and in vivo by micronucleus, comet, and hematotoxicity tests. The AN presented a hydrodynamic diameter (Hd) of 142.5±3.0 and PDI of 0.272±0.007 and good stability at room temperature. The MTT test evidenced the cytotoxicity of AO and of AN only at their highest concentrations, but AN showed lower cytotoxicity than AO. A lower cytotoxicity of AN, when compared to AO, is in fact an interesting data suggesting that during therapeutic application there will be a lower impact in the cell viability of healthy cells. Cytotoxicity,...

Scientific Reports, 2019

Multiple sex chromosome systems have been described for several mammalian orders, with different ... more Multiple sex chromosome systems have been described for several mammalian orders, with different species from the same genus sharing the same system (e.g., X1X2Y or XY1Y2). This is important because the translocated autosome may be influenced by the evolution of the recipient sex chromosome, and this may be related to speciation. It is often thought that the translocation of an autosome to a sex chromosome may share a common origin among phylogenetically related species. However, the neo-X chromosomes of Proechimys goeldii (2n = 24♀, 25♂/NFa = 42) and Proechimys gr. goeldii (2n = 16♀, 17♂/NFa = 14) have distinct sizes and morphologies that have made it difficult to determine whether they have the same or different origins. This study investigates the origins of the XY1Y2 sex chromosome determination system in P. goeldii (PGO) and P. gr. goeldii (PGG) and elucidates the chromosomal rearrangements in this low-diploid-number group of Proechimys species. Toward this end, we produced who...

Chromosome Research, Jun 18, 2013

Herpetologica, Dec 1, 2012

Abstract: Supernumerary or B chromosomes are one of the main causes for numerical chromosomal var... more Abstract: Supernumerary or B chromosomes are one of the main causes for numerical chromosomal variation in higher eukaryotes. These extragenetic elements have been studied for more than a century, with the goal of trying to understand their origin, and how they survive as a polymorphism in natural populations. Hypsiboas albopunctatus is a nocturnal hylid frog distributed in the central–eastern part of South America. Previously, variation in chromosome numbers was described for a population from Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil, in which a single small-sized, metacentric B chromosome was present in ca. 40% of the analyzed individuals (n = 17). We herein describe the presence of B chromosomes in populations of H. albopunctatus from northeastern Argentina (Corrientes and Misiones provinces), with unusual morphological and structural characteristics. The frequency of B chromosomes varied significantly among analyzed populations. We found four diploid numbers (2N = 22, 22 + 1B, 22 + 2B, and 22 + 3B), and in a few individuals mitotic instability occurred. C banding revealed variations in the heterochromatin (DAPI+) pattern between Bs with similar morphology, indicating the existence of two new structural variants of these supernumerary elements in H. albopunctatus (B1 and B2). Nucleolar organizer regions marked positively on the eighth pair, coincident with the location of ribosomal DNA as demonstrated with fluorescent in situ hybridization, but Bs did not mark positive with these two techniques. Also, fluorescent in situ hybridization with telomeric probes showed no differences in location and intensity between Bs and autosomal chromosomes. The present communication is the first case of B chromosome polymorphisms in hylid frogs and the sixth reported in Anura.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Jun 1, 2021

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic used in the fight against many types of cancer. ... more Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic used in the fight against many types of cancer. Although it is quite effective for this purpose, its clinical use is limited by its severe side effects, highlighting the relevance of efforts to identify substances that act to minimize these effects. In this work, we sought to verify the ability of andiroba oil (AO) and a nanoemulsion of andiroba oil (AN) to lessen the side effects of DOX. The animals were separated into 7 groups with 6 animals each: mice treated with AO (2000 mg/kg), AN (2000 mg/kg), the antineoplastic agent DOX (40 mg/kg), AO+DOX, AN+DOX and solvent controls was used of negative control (corn oil and nanoemulsion surfactant). AO and AN were administered for 14 consecutive days orally by gavage and on the 13th day, applied DOX by intraperitoneal route (i.p.), in order to evaluate the protective potential of andiroba. The animals were euthanized on the 15th day. Hematological, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical parameters were analyzed. Andiroba reduced several aspects of the severity of lesions caused by DOX, decreasing hematotoxicity and the severity of histological changes in the liver and kidneys, and reducing the frequency of apoptotic cell death. In many cases, AN showed greater efficacy than AO alone, reflecting the feasibility of using this nanotechnology to improve the pharmacokinetics of lipid compounds in the body. The study sheds new light on the therapeutic benefits of andiroba and suggests new ways for investigating how the quantity and quality of lipid compounds affect exposed organisms.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, Mar 9, 2020

Andiroba (Carapa guianensisAubl) is an Amazonian plant whose oil has been widely used in traditio... more Andiroba (Carapa guianensisAubl) is an Amazonian plant whose oil has been widely used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including anti‐inflammation. Research reports indicate that the oil can confer antitumor activity due to the presence of fatty acids, which can directly influence cell death mechanisms. Thus, andiroba oil (AO) has gained interest for its potential to be used in antineoplastic therapies. Here, we report an in vitro analysis of the cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of AO in the gastric cancer cell line, ACP02. Cell survival was assessed by the MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, differential staining with ethidium bromide and acridine orange assessed apoptosis‐necrosis, and mutagenesis was assessed by the micronucleus test. The apolar oil was first diluted in 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and then further diluted to six concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/mL and 1 mg/mL) in RPMI medium. Controls included RPMI alone (negative control) and 0.1% DMSO diluted in medium (vehicle control). The MTT test showed that AO significantly reduced cell viability (P< .05) only when the highest tested concentration was applied for 48 hours. The apoptosis/necrosis test showed that the highest concentration of AO induced cell death by apoptosis at 24 and 48 hours. There was no statistically significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei. The ability of the AO to decrease the viability of ACP02 cells via apoptosis, without exerting mutagenic effects, suggests that the oil could be useful as an alternative therapeutic agent for primary tumors of stomach cancer.