Evaluation of the Antiproliferative Potential of Yellow Jaboticaba (Myrciaria glazioviana) Extracts Against Human Cervical Cancer (HeLa cells line) and the Analysis of Their Chemical Composition by HPLC‐HRESIMS

Abstract

There is a high demand for new effective antineoplastic drugs with few side effects. In this sense, recent research highlights the potential of compounds of natural origin in treating and preventing different types of cancer. This study aims to evaluate the anticancer activity of the dichloromethane extract (MGD) and ethyl acetate extract (MGA) of Myrciaria glazioviana leaves against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), as well as to identify their bioactive compounds. Using the HPLC‐HRESIMS technique, ten compounds were characterized in both samples: quinic acid, ellagic acid, Tri‐O‐methyl ellagic acid, two derivatives of Tetra‐O‐methyl flavellagic acid, quercetrin, Di‐O‐methyl ellagic acid, and three derivatives of pentamethyl coruleoellagic acid. Through MTT assays using HeLa cells and NIH/3T3 cells, it was observed that MGD and MGA were selective against tumor cells, with IC50 values of 24.31 and 12.62 µg/mL, respectively. The samples induced tumor cell death by apoptosis, as evidenced by the activation of caspases 3/7, cell shrinkage, and pyknotic nuclei. Both samples were also able to inhibit the migration of HeLa cells after 24 hours of treatment, indicating a potential antimetastatic effect. Therefore, the present research highlights the antiproliferative and antimigratory potential of this species against HeLa cells.