Targeting DNA methylation: molecular and in vivo evidence for quinoa and chia nanocapsules as epigenetic modulators...

This study investigated the modulating role of quinoa and chia nanocapsules on the DMBA-induced DNA methylation in rats. Theoretical docking was conducted to assess the binding affinities of selected phytoconstituents from quinoa and chia against the active sites of DNMT1 and TET2. An in vivo study was conducted to determine the effect of nanocapsules on DMBA-induced LINE-1 DNA methylation patterns. Molecular docking suggested that all selected compounds have high binding affinity for DNMT1, with linoleic acid being the top-rate TET2 inhibitor. The in vivo study demonstrated that quinoa nanocapsules can potentially reverse the DMBA-induced LINE-1 methylation pattern in the liver and kidney. Chia nanocapsules did not change the methylation status in the kidney; however, they partially modulated it in the liver. Our findings show that DMBA-induced LINE-1 DNA methylation in the kidney and liver is reversible via quinoa nanocapsules, and is likely driven by their active phytochemicals.