Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) presents anti-neuroinflammatory capacity in LPS-activated microglia cells

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric diseases are responsible for one of the highest burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These illnesses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Individuals affected by these diseases may present mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Additionally, patients also have increased peripheral and neural chronic inflammation. The Brazilian fruit, açaí, has been demonstrated to be a neuroprotective agent through its recovery of mitochondrial complex I activity. This extract has previously shown anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory cells. However, there is a lack of understanding of potential anti-neuroinflammatory mechanisms, such as cell cycle involvement. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of an açaí extract in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 microglia cells. Methods: Açaí extract was produced and characterized through high performance liquid chromatography. Following açaí extraction and characterization, BV-2 microglia cells were activated with LPS and a dose-response curve was generated to select the most effective açaí dose to reduce cellular proliferation. This dose was then used to assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, double-strand DNA release, cell cycle modulation, and cytokine and caspase protein expression. Results: Characterization of the açaí extract revealed 10 bioactive molecules. The extract reduced cellular proliferation, ROS production, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and caspase 1 protein expression under 1 μg/mL in LPS-activated BV-2 microglia cells but had no effect on double strand DNA release. Additionally, açaí treatment caused cell cycle arrest, specifically within synthesis and G2/Mitosis phases. Conclusion: These results suggest that the freeze-dried hydroalcoholic açaí extract presents high anti-neuroinflammatory potential.

KEYWORDS:

• Neuroinflammation
• natural product
• functional food
• chemical matrix
• cytokines
• neuropsychiatric diseases
• oxidative metabolism
• bioactive properties

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo ã Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul [grant number 17/2551-0000 799-9] and by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [grant number 423666/2018-5].

Notes on contributors

Diulie Valente de Souza

Diulie Valente de Souza is a bachelor in Biomedicine and currently is a Ph.D. student in Nanoscience.

Lauren Pappis

Lauren Pappis is master in Pharmaceutical Sciences and currently is a Ph.D. student in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Thuany Teixeira Bandeira

Thuany Teixeira Bandeira is a Bachelor in Biomedicine and currently is a master student in Nanoscience.

Gabriela Geraldo Sangoi

Gabriela Geraldo Sangoi is a Biomedicine undergrad student.

Tuyla Fontana

Tuyla Fontana is a Biomedicine undergrad student.

Vitor Braga Rissi

Vitor Braga Rissi is Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine and currently is an assistant professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina.

Michele Rorato Sagrillo

Michele Rorato Sagrillo is Ph.D. in Pharmacology and currently is associate professor at the Franciscan University.

Marta Maria Duarte

Marta Maria Duarte is Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and currently is an associate professor at the Lutheran University of Brazil.

Thiago Duarte

Thiago Duarte is Ph.D. in Pharmacology.

David Frederick Bodenstein

David Frederick Bodenstein is currently a Ph.D. student from the University of Toronto.

Ana Cristina Andreazza

Ana Cristina Andreazza is Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and currently is a associate professor at the University of Toronto.

Ivana Beatrice Mânica da Cruz

Ivana Beatrice Mânica da Cruz is Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and currently is an associate professor at the Federal University of Santa Maria.

Euler Esteves Ribeiro

Euler Esteves Ribeiro is Ph.D. in Biomedical gerontology and currently is the dean of University of the Elderly Foundation.

Alfredo Antoniazzi

Alfredo Antoniazzi is Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine and currently is associate professor at the Federal University of Santa Maria.

Aline Ferreira Ourique

Aline Ferreira Ourique is Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and currently is assistant professor at the Franciscan University.

Alencar Kolinski Machado

Alencar Kolinski Machado is Ph.D. in Pharmacology and currently is assistant professor at the Franciscan University.