Inhibitory Effect of Catechin-Rich Açaí Seed Extract on LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells and Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema

• Published in: Foods 2021-05, Vol.10 (5), p.1014
• Main Authors: Xavier, Gabriel Silva, Teles, Amanda Mara, Moragas-Tellis, Carla Junqueira, Chagas, Maria do Socorro dos Santos, Behrens, Maria Dutra, Moreira, Wendel Fragoso de Freitas, Abreu-Silva, Ana Lucia, Calabrese, Kátia da Silva, Nascimento, Maria do Desterro Soares Brandão, Almeida-Souza, Fernando
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetic acid; Anti-inflammatory agents; Antioxidants; Carrageenan; Catechin; Cell cycle; Chromatography; cytokines; Cytotoxicity; Dietary supplements; Edema; Endotoxins; Ethyl acetate; Euterpe oleracea; Flavonoids; Food science; fruit; Fruits; Histology; IL-1β; Inflammation; Inoculation; Interleukin 12; Interleukin 6; Kinases; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; nitric oxide; Pulp; Seeds; Solvents; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF
• ISSN: 2304-8158; 2304-8158
• DOI: 10.3390/foods10051014

Açaí berry is a fruit from the tree commonly known as açaízeiro (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) originated from the Amazonian region and widely consumed in Brazil. There are several reports of the anti-inflammatory activity of its pulp and few data about the seed’s potential in inflammation control. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of catechin-rich açaí extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and carrageenan-induced paw edema. The treatment with E. oleracea ethyl acetate extract (EO-ACET) was used in an in vitro model performed with macrophages stimulated by LPS, in which pro-inflammatory markers were evaluated, and in an in vivo model of acute inflammation, in which edema inhibition was evaluated. EO-ACET showed an absence of endotoxins, and did not display cytotoxic effects in RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-stimulated cells treated with EO-ACET displayed low levels of nitrite and interleukins (IL’s), IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12, when compared to untreated cells. EO-ACET treatment was able to inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, in which no acute inflammatory reaction or low mast cell counts were observed by histology at the site of inoculation of λ-carrageenan. These findings provide more evidence to support further studies with E. oleracea seeds for the treatment of inflammation.