New Evidence on the Antiproliferative Activity of Campomanesia Adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg Extracts in Melanoma Lung Metastasis.

Abstract

Given the importance of discovering plant species from the Brazilian Cerrado biome with anticancer potential, this study evaluated the antitumor activity of two extracts of Campomanesi adamantium fruits in in vitro and in vivo models of melanoma lung metastasis. Pulp and peel extracts (DEGPU and DEGPE, respectively) were extracted from fresh fruit using dichloromethane as a solvent. As cytotoxicity parameter, concentration values that inhibited 50% cell growth (GI₅₀), total growth inhibition (TGI), and selectivity index (SI) were established. The melanoma lung metastasis model was obtained by injecting 5 × 10⁵/50 μL B16-F10 cells via the tail vein of mice, which received treatment on the 15th day. Metastatic lungs were collected for fluorescence analysis with the IR-780 marker and also macro- and microscopic assessment. In vitro analyses showed that DEGPU was active in K562 (GI₅₀ 32.99; TGI 47.93) and U-251 (GI₅₀ 32.10; TGI 249.92), whereas DEGPE showed better cytotoxicity results for all tumor cell lines, but was more efficient in K562 (GI₅₀ 27.42; TGI 40.20) and U-251 (GI₅₀ 4.89; TGI 12.77). Both showed a cytocidal effect on B16F10 at the highest concentration tested, with approximately 25% (DEGPU) and 88% (DEGPE) of cell death. In vivo analyzes showed that both extracts showed significant activity in metastatic lung. Fluorescence images showed differences in intensity between groups owing to greater tumor involvement. Macro- and microscopic images showed that treatments with extracts limited tumor growth and prevented proliferation. The extracts tested have promising activity, thus requiring further research on their active compounds.