%0 Journal Article
%T Role of Zucchini and Its Distinctive Components in the Modulation of Degenerative Processes: Genotoxicity, Anti-Genotoxicity, Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Effects
%A Dami¨¢n Mart¨ªnez-Valdivieso
%A Mercedes del R¨ªo-Celestino
%A Pedro G¨®mez
%A Rafael Font
%A Tania Merinas-Amo
%A Zahira Fern¨¢ndez-Bedmar
%A ¨¢ngeles Alonso-Moraga
%J Archive of "Nutrients".
%D 2017
%R 10.3390/nu9070755
%X Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo) is a seasonal vegetable with high nutritional and medical values. Many useful properties of this fruit are attributed to bioactive compounds. Zucchini fruits (¡°Yellow¡± and ¡°Light Green¡± varieties) and four distinctive components (lutein, ¦Â-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid) were selected. Firstly, the lutein, ¦Â-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid contents were determined in these fruits. Then, in order to evaluate the safety and suitability of their use, different assays were carried out: (i) genotoxicity and anti-genotoxicity tests to determine the safety and DNA-protection against hydrogen peroxide; (ii) cytotoxicity; and (iii) DNA fragmentation and Annexin V/PI (Propidium Iodide) assays to evaluate the pro-apoptotic effect. Results showed that: (i) all the substances were non-genotoxic; (ii) all the substances were anti-genotoxic except the highest concentration of lutein; (iii) ¡°Yellow¡± zucchini epicarp and mesocarp exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity (IC50 > 0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively); and (iv) ¡°Light Green¡± zucchini skin induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, ¦Â-carotene being the possible molecule responsible for its pro-apoptotic activity. To sum up, zucchini fruit could play a positive role in human health and nutrition due to this fruit and its components were safe, able to inhibit significantly the H2O2-induced damage and exhibit anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities toward HL60 (human promyelocytic leukemia cells) tumor cells. The information generated from this research should be considered when selecting potential accessions for breeding program purposes
%K cancer
%K carotenoid
%K chemoprevention
%K Cucurbita
%K cytotoxicity
%K DNA-protection
%K tumor cells
%U https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537869/