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Antitumorigenic activity of Rubus sp. fruit extract in C6 rat and U87 human glioma cell lines
Larissa Menezes da Silveira1, Nathalia Stark Pedra2, Natália Pontes Bona1
1Laboratório de Biomarcadores, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Objectives:
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive neoplasm that can affect the central nervous system, presenting therapeutic limitations due to resistance to common medications. Therefore, a search for therapeutic alternatives is necessary. This study focused on the therapeutic potential of methanolic blackberry extract (Rubus sp.) against rat C6 and human U87 glioma cell lines, given the antioxidant and antitumor capacity of this fruit extract already described against other neoplasms. Furthermore, the impact of blackberry extract on healthy cells, specifically primary astrocyte cultures, was assessed.
Methods:
Cells were exposed to blackberry extract at concentrations ranging from 125 to 2000 µg/mL for 4, 6, 24, 48, or 72 h, after which cell viability and proliferation, cell migration, colony formation, interleukin levels, and oxidative stress were evaluated.
Results:
Our results demonstrate the selective cytotoxic effect of blackberry extract at reducing viability and proliferation in both glioma cell lines without affecting the primary astrocyte cultures. The levels of reactive oxygen species were significantly reduced at all tested concentrations, and in parallel, an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase was observed. Furthermore, the treatment reduced the capacity for cell migration, tumor colony formation and growth, and interleukin-10 levels.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that blackberry extract has antitumorigenic potential, supporting further research using in vivo glioma models.
Insights
Methanolic blackberry extract selectively reduced glioma cell viability and proliferation without harming healthy astrocytes. This natural compound also decreased oxidative stress and tumor cell migration, showing potential as a glioblastoma treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options due to drug resistance.
- Blackberry extract (Rubus sp.) exhibits known antioxidant and antitumor properties against various neoplasms.
- Investigating novel therapeutic agents for glioblastoma is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of methanolic blackberry extract against rat C6 and human U87 glioma cell lines.
- To assess the selective toxicity of blackberry extract on glioma cells versus primary astrocytes.
- To determine the effects of blackberry extract on glioma cell viability, proliferation, migration, and oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Glioma and astrocyte cell cultures were treated with varying concentrations of blackberry extract for different durations.
- Assays were performed to measure cell viability, proliferation, migration, colony formation, interleukin levels, and oxidative stress.
- Key antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Blackberry extract demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against C6 and U87 glioma cells, reducing viability and proliferation.
- No significant impact was observed on primary astrocyte cultures, indicating selectivity.
- Treatment significantly decreased reactive oxygen species levels and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity.
- Reduced cell migration, colony formation, and interleukin-10 levels were observed in treated glioma cells.
Conclusions:
- Methanolic blackberry extract exhibits significant antitumorigenic potential against glioblastoma cells.
- The extract shows selective toxicity, sparing healthy astrocytes.
- Further investigation in in vivo glioma models is warranted to explore its therapeutic efficacy.
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