Avaliação do efeito do açaí (Euterpe oleracea) em modelo de endometriose, e descrição dos dados de toxicidade e do efeito anticancerígeno do açaí em modelos experimentais

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease that affects 10% of women on reproductive age, which causes clinical symptoms at different intensities, damaging the quality of life. The pharmacological treatment is based on the symptoms' relief, since there is no therapy capable of eradicating the disease. Among the processes involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis, angiogenesis and inflammation are fundamental. The Euterpe oleraceaextract (acai) has been described as a possible candidate for drug development due to its properties antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological effect of acai in the treatment of experimental endometriosis and to describe the safety / toxicity and anticancer data of acai utilization in preclinical models. In the experimental model of endometriosis, the treated group (n = 10, Sprague-Dawley rats) received 200 mg / kg of the acai extract via gavage for 30 days and the control group (n = 10) received vehicle.In the histological analysis it was possible to observe atrophy and regression of the lesions. Immunohistochemical analyzes (Vascular endothelial growth factor -VEGF, VEGFreceptor -VEGFR-2, cyclooxygenase-2 -COX-2, metalloproteinase-9 -MMP-9 and F4-80), real-time PCR expression (VEGF, VEGFR-2, MMP-9 and COX-2), ELISA (VEGF and PGE2), flow cytometry (F4-80) and biochemistry (nitric oxide) indicated a significant reduction of angiogenesisand inflammationin the acai treated group when compared to the control group. No evidence of toxicity was observed in the dose of acai administered, as compared to controls, based on weight, feed and activity of the animals. In addition, macrophage cells treated with 20 to 40 μg / ml acai had a 50% reduction in cell viability after 24, 48 and 72 h. A literature review was also conducted using four international databases to identify publications that studied the used of acai extract in experimental animal models of cancer (n = 6) and / or evaluated the safety / toxicity of acai in preclinical models(n = 3) using a methodological rigor (QATRS) to enable better quality control. Acai had antitumor activity, reducing the incidence and size of tumors, and did not present genotoxic effects. As a conclusion, it is possible to suggest that acai is effective in the treatment of endometriosis and can be considered a promising pharmacological treatment without causing adverse effects. In addition, it is suggested that acai may be used as a safe, chemopreventive and anticancer agent