Evaluation on hot/cold drug property of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) by cytological study methods

Objective: To determine the hot/cold of South American Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). Materials and Methods: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to compare the influence of Acai and phellodendron bark (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) on the growth and proliferation of HepG2 and Hep3B cell strains. The morphological changes of the two cell strains treated with Acai and C. Phellodendri were observed using an inverted phase contrast microscope. Trypan blue dye exclusion assay was used to compare and analyze the toxicity effects of Acai. The content of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and the ratio of NADH/NAD+ of the treated cells were detected using a spectrophotometer to determine the influence of Acai to the energy metabolism of the two cell strains. Results: Within the range of measured concentrations, both Acai and C. Phellodendri displayed separately the stronger inhibitory effects on cell growth, proliferation, and energy metabolism of the two cell strains. By MTT assay, Acai showed significant (P