La paraoxonasa 1 (PON1) es una enzima que se expresa en hígado y que circula por el torrente sanguíneo asociada a las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL). La PON1 tiene la capacidad de proteger contra el desarrollo de la enfermedad cardiovascular, gracias a su actividad antioxidante. Protege a las HDL y a las lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL) contra la oxidación y detoxifica moléculas reactivas. Se sabe que una elevada concentración de LDL en suero es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de la aterosclerosis, mientras que las HDL cumplen con una función ateroprotectora, se cree que la PON1 en la principal encargada de esta función. El estrés oxidativo y los procesos inflamatorios tienen la capacidad de disminuir la expresión del gen PON1 y de la actividad de la enzima. Sin embargo, una dieta rica en ácidos grasos insaturadas, vitaminas y compuestos bioactivos puede compensar dichos efectos negativos, elevando la expresión y la actividad de la PON1.

Creole avocado (Persea americana var. drymifolia) seeds are considered as biowaste; however, they constitute a rich source of bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of extract, partitions, and acetogenin mixture from creole avocado seeds in SiHa cells and erythrocytes. Creole avocado seed extract was obtained using ethyl acetate (CASE), and subsequently partitioned into hexane (HP), ethyl acetate (EP), and butanol (BP). Acetogenin mixture (AM), composed of avocadene acetate and avocadyne acetate, was isolated from HP and structurally characterized. Total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic effect of all samples were evaluated using SiHa cell line and human erythrocytes. BP exhibited the highest total phenol content with a value of 159.13 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g (mg GAE/g). Antioxidant capacity assessed by 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•⁺) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) assays indicated that BP showed the greatest antioxidant capacity with values of 207.26 and 94.96 mg of Trolox equivalents antioxidant capacity/g (mg TEAC/g), respectively. AM demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity against SiHa cells at all exposure times, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values ranging from 15.37 to 28.09 µg/mL. Half-maximal hemolytic concentration (HC₅₀) of all samples ranged from 107.39 to 160.26 µg/mL. AM, isolated from creole avocado seeds, showed the highest cytotoxic activity against SiHa cells, highlighting its potential as a promising bioactive compound for further investigation in cancer research.

Beans are widely consumed worldwide and are a good source of amino acids and micronutrients; however, they contain anti-nutrients, such as lectins, tannins, protein inhibitors, saponins, and phytic acid, among others, which can reduce the food’s quality and cause adverse health effects. In this study, we analyzed the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of a protein extract from Phaseolus acutifolius (TBE) seeds. The extract contained some antinutritional compounds, with a higher lectin content, with an activity of 2701.85 HU. The acute toxicity test in mice showed that the extract was non-toxic at the concentrations tested, as it did not cause any mortality. The in vitro cytotoxicity study on small intestinal epithelial cells indicated that the lectin-rich extract was cytotoxic in both assays, with IC50 values of 10.08 µg/mL and 108.93 µg/mL for the free cell and intestinal fragment assays, respectively. In the in vivo study, an erythropoiesis-stimulatory effect was observed, with significant genotoxic damage noted at 48 h, evidenced by 11 micronucleated erythrocytes at 1000 mg/kg TBE. However, no genotoxicity was detected with prolonged treatment times. These results indicate that TBE is cytotoxic within the tested concentration range, and genotoxic damage is influenced by both concentration and exposure time.

Beans are widely consumed worldwide and are a good source of amino acids and micronutrients; however, they contain anti-nutrients, such as lectins, tannins, protein inhibitors, saponins, and phytic acid, among others, which can reduce the food’s quality and cause adverse health effects. In this study, we analyzed the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of a protein extract from Phaseolus acutifolius (TBE) seeds. The extract contained some antinutritional compounds, with a higher lectin content and an activity of 2701.85 HU. The acute toxicity test in mice showed that the extract was not lethal at the concentrations tested, as it did not cause any mortality. The in vitro cytotoxicity study on small intestinal epithelial cells indicated that the lectin-rich extract was cytotoxic in both assays, with IC₅₀ values of 10.08 µg/mL and 108.91 µg/mL for the free cell and intestinal fragment assays, respectively. In the in vivo study, an erythropoiesis-stimulatory effect was observed, with significant genotoxic damage noted at 48 h, evidenced by 11 micronucleated erythrocytes at 1000 mg/kg TBE. However, no genotoxicity was detected with prolonged treatment times. These results indicate that TBE is cytotoxic within the tested concentration range, and genotoxic damage is influenced by both concentration and exposure time.

Amaranth proteins have been associated with various health benefits, including anticancer activity. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of proteins and peptides derived from Amaranthus hypochondriacus. A crude extract (CE) and protein fraction (PF) were obtained; peptides were produced by enzymatic hydrolysis, yielding one sample > 30 kDa (P > 30 kDa) and another < 30 kDa (P < 30 kDa). Protein, phenolic, and antinutritional compound content were determined, along with antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 and SiHa cells. CE exhibited the highest protein content of 182.6 mg/g, total phenols 129.40 mg GAE/g, and antioxidant capacity by both methods, 104.50 µM TEAC/g for ABTS•+ and 75.62 µM TEAC/g for DPPH•. PF showed the greatest concentration of saponins and lectins, 80 HU/mg and 60.30 HA/mg, respectively. PF displayed the strongest cytotoxic effect at 72 h in both cell lines, with IC₅₀ of 44.98 µg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells and 69.24 µg/mL for SiHa cell line. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed severe structural damage induced by PF in both cell lines. In conclusion, PF from Amaranthus hypochondriacus seeds showed the greatest in vitro cytotoxic effect against both cancer cell lines, principally in MDA-MB-231 cells.