Preliminary in vitro evaluation of the cytoprotective effects of clarified açaí (Euterpe oleracea MART.) pulp on African green monkey kidney cells (VERO) treated with the antifungal fluconazole.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea MART.) has been the target of several studies due to its strong antioxidant potential and possible cytoprotective effect, thus providing health benefits to the population. Fluconazole is a widely known and used drug in the treatment of fungal diseases. However, the literature shows that this drug can show cytotoxic effects, as well as cause DNA damage. In this regard, the present study aims to assess the putative cytoprotective effect of clarified açaí (CA) pulp extract on VERO cells exposed to fluconazole. It was observed in the MTT assay that CA was able to increase the viability of cells exposed to the antifungal agent in three different times of exposure (24, 48 and 72 h). Similarly, the results of the comet assay demonstrated that CA was able to decrease the genotoxic effects of fluconazole significantly. Thus, we conclude that, under the assessed conditions, CA shows cytoprotective effects against the damage caused by fluconazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]