title: Assessment of the antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of sesquiterpenic compounds in in vitro Caco-2 cell models.
abstract: In this study, the antiradical and antiproliferative effects of the sesquiterpenic compounds trans, trans-farnesol, cis-nerolidol, α-humulene and guaiazulene, commonly found in plants and plant-derived foods and beverages, were evaluated. Chemical (DPPH and hydroxyl radicals) and biological (Caco-2 cells) models were used. Guaiazulene (IC50=0.73mM) showed higher scavenger capacity against DPPH, while trans, trans-farnesol (IC50=1.81mM) and cis-nerolidol (IC50=1.48mM) were more active towards hydroxyl radicals. All compounds, with the exception of α-humulene, were able to protect Caco-2 cells from oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. As antiproliferative agents, guaiazulene and cis-nerolidol were more effective than trans, trans-farnesol and α-humulene. The results obtained for the sesquiterpenic compounds by these in vitro assays opens a perspective for their promising use as antioxidants and antiproliferative agents. However, in vivo tests should be carried out in the future to confirm their safety and effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: QOPNA, Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vinholes
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38-FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38-FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.affiliation: QOPNA, Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Coimbra
authors.affiliation: QOPNA, Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. Electronic address: smrocha@ua.pt.
authors.forename: Sílvia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rocha
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes
keywords: Antioxidant; Antiproliferative; Caco-2 cells model; DPPH(); Hydroxyl radicals; Sesquiterpenoids