Bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba) phenolic extract induces apoptosis in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line via the mitochondria-dependent pathway

Bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) is an indigenous palm fruit from Amazon region rich in polyphenolics. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were incubated with different concentrations of bacaba phenolic extract and its effect on cell viability was assessed. Extracts from bacaba showed antiproliferative capacities. Further experiments showed that bacaba phenolic extracts induced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells through the mitochondrial pathway. Caspases-6, -8 and -9 were activated when compared to the untreated control in a dose dependent manner (p < 0.05). Within these, caspase-9 showed the highest activation. Since MCF-7 cells do not express caspase-3 and based on additional investigations on PARP (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase) - cleavage using a caspase-9 inhibitor, the experiments suggest that caspase-9 plays an important role in the observed apoptotic effect. Our results emphasize the potential healthy properties of traditional fruits from the Brazilian biodiversity with high antioxidant activities.