Efeito de Paullinia cupana (Mart.) no estresse oxidativo induzido pelo nitroprussiato de sódio em celúlas de fibroblastos embrionários NIH-3T3

Abstract

The antioxidant effects of the hydro-alcoholic guaraná extracts (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis Mart.) on nitric oxide (NO ) and other compounds generated from degradation of Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) in embryonic fibroblast culture (NIH-3T3 cells) were evaluated. The guaraná bioactive compounds were initially determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): caffeine=12.240 mg/g, theobromine=6.733 mg/g and total catechins= 4.336 mg/g. To the experiments, initially the cells were grown in DMEM (Dulbecco s Modified Eagle Medium) medium and incubated in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 37°C until reach 90% confluence. Cell cultures were exposed to 10μM SNP during six hours since in this concentration the cells present >90% mortality. Guaraná diluted in water was added in the cultures in five concentrations (0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg/mL). MTT and Trypan blue viability, biochemical oxidative markers and genotoxicity (DNA Comet assay) analysis were performed. Additionally, the cell oxidative stress was evaluated by 2,7 dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence assay by confocal microscopy. Guaraná reverted the SNP toxicity mainly in lower concentrations (<5 mg) decreasing cell mortality, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and cell oxidative stress and increasing the SOD levels. However, guarana was unable to reverse the inhibition of catalase probably triggered by the presence of cyanide which is also produced in the decomposition of SNP. The results suggest that guarana has effects on the modulation of excessive amounts of NO probably through its antioxidant properties. These results supported previous studies that suggest guarana have a protective effect against morbidity as obesity and metabolic syndrome that are related to metabolism.