Effect of Paullinia cupana on MCF-7 breast cancer cell response to chemotherapeutic drugs

Abstract

Abstract. Previous studies suggested that certain plants, such as guarana (Paullinia cupana), exert a protective effect against cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, guarana possesses bioactive molecules, such as caffeine and catechin, which may affect the pharmacological properties of antitumor drugs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of guarana on breast cancer cell response to 7 chemotherapeutic agents currently used in the treatment of breast cancer. To perform this study, MCF-7 breast cancer cells were cultured under controlled conditions and exposed to 1, 5 and 10 µg/ml guarana concentrations, with and without chemotherapeutics (gemcitabine, vinorelbine, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide). The effect of these treatments on MCF-7 cell viability and proliferation was spectrophotometrically analyzed with the MTT assay. The main results demonstrated an antiproliferative effect of guarana at concentrations of 5 and 10 µg/ml and a significant effect on chemotherapeutic drug action. In general, guarana improved the antiproliferative effect of chemotherapeutic agents, causing a decrease of >40% in cell growth after 72 h of exposure. The results suggested an interaction of guarana with the chemotherapeutic drugs, which requires confirmation by in vivo complementary studies.

Evaluation of Antibacterial, Antineoplastic, and Immunomodulatory Activity of Paullinia cupana Seeds Crude Extract and Ethyl‐Acetate Fraction

“…Recently, a study conducted by Hertz and colleagues evaluated the antiproliferative effect of guarana in breast tumor cell line (MCF-7) as well as its association with chemotherapeutic agents. However, they did not observe a decrease in cell proliferation at guarana without chemotherapeutic association [19]. According to Hertz et al (2015) we do not observe antineoplastic activities of guarana extract and fraction at this breast cancer lineage.…”

“…In this context, guarana plays an important role as one of the most promising products of flora. Currently popular culture advocates the use of guarana in the form of syrups, employing it in a wide variety of effects such as antidyspeptic; antidiarrheal; physical and mental fatigue, antihemorrhagic; aphrodisiac; nervous system stimulant; cardiovascular tonic; diuretic, among others [19]. Given these numerous properties related to guarana, this article presented together three of its main biological properties through the evaluation of guarana CE and EAF activities.…”

The chemotherapeutic potential of doxorubicin-loaded PEG-b-PLGA nanopolymersomes in mouse breast cancer model

“…Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline drug, is a commonly used anti-cancer agent that has been determined to be very effective for the single or combined treatment of breast, lung, cervix, prostate, brain and ovarian cancers [4][5][6][7][8].…”

Biological Effects of Paullinia cupana (Guarana) in Combination with Whole-Body Vibration Exercise in Wistar Rats

“…Paullinia cupana (guarana) is a Brazilian plant (subfamily Sapindoideae) known for its stimulant and medicinal properties [3,4]. Guarana has been associated with diverse pharmacological properties, such as antiproliferative [5], anti-inflammatory [6], antioxidant, and cardioprotective [4,7,8]. Moreover, it would have cytoprotective [4], energetic, thermogenic [9], antidepressant [10], and anxiolytic [11] qualities (Figure 1).…”