Tucumã () Prevents Oxidative and DNA Damage to Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells.

Eye diseases have a negative impact on the eyesight quality of the world population. The age-related macular degeneration (AMD) draws special attention since it is a chronic disorder characterized by oxidative and inflammatory damage to the retinal epithelial pigment, which triggers progressive vision loss. In the Brazilian Amazon, is an Amazonian fruit () used by riverside communities in traditional medicine to treat a number of ailments These communities have recently shown to have increased longevity and reduced prevalence of age-related morbidity. Thus, the aim of this research was to chemically characterize and analyze the antioxidant effect and molecular damage prevention of the ethanolic extract in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in a model for AMD. The extract was chemically characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode-array detection and mass spectrophotometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). protocols were performed, and the cytopreventive effect of on RPE cells exposed to high concentrations of superoxide anion, an oxidant and genotoxic molecule, as well as the effect of extract on oxidative and molecular makers were assessed. Biochemical and flow cytometry analyses were conducted in these protocols. The extract presents high concentrations of caffeic acid, gallic acid, catechin, luteolin, quercetin, and rutin. Treatment did not show cytotoxic effects in cells treated only with extract at 50 g/mL. In fact, it improved cell viability and was able to prevent necrosis and apoptosis, and oxidative and molecular damage was significantly reduced. In summary, is an important Amazon fruit, which seems to contribute significantly to improve human health conditions, as our findings suggest that its extract has a relevant chemical matrix rich in antioxidant molecules, and its consumption could improve eye health and contribute to prevention against oxidative stress through cytoprevention, reactive oxygen species reduction, and maintenance of DNA integrity in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.