Dissertation abstract: Viscum album citotoxicity in Caco-2 cells (in vitro) analyzed by Dispersive Raman Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT

In the last decades, it has been observed a gradual increase in the diagnosis of neoplasm in both human beings and animals. This can be attributed to the advances in research and technology, which facilitated detection, promoting, thus, survival. On the other hand, the current incidence of cancer may also be attributed to an excess of chemicals in food products, radiation arising from antennae, environmental pollutants, indiscriminate use of hormone therapies, besides genetic alterations. Conventional oncologic treatments traditionally employ chemotherapic drugs. Later on, vegetal immunomodulators were also introduced, such as Viscum album. In the present study, the effectiveness of injectable extract Viscum album was tested in vitro in Caco-2 cells, in dilutions D3 (0.1ìg/ml ), D6 (0.1 ng/ml), D9 (0.1x10-³ ng/ml), D12 (0.1x10-6 ng/ml) and D30 (0.1x10-6 ng/ml). The optical method used was the Dispersive Raman Spectroscopy at 830nm by comparison to MTT Assay. The results showed that Viscum album has an action on mitochondrial activity, reducing cellular viability in Caco-2 cells in dilutions D3, D6 and D9. Correlation of Raman spectrum to the values obtained in the MTT test was statistically analyzed by PLS, revealing a sensitive tool for the detection of changes in the mitochondrial activity of Caco-2 cells. Raman spectroscopy is a non invasive diagnostic procedure, allowing for real-time diagnosis and reduction of costs, besides indicating the best therapy for each type of tumor as well as modifications in the therapeutic strategy.