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Carotenoids are natural pigments and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables such as carrot, tomato, orange, mango, yellow corn, pumpkin, and mamey. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant potential of mamey (Pouteria sapota) carotenoids and compared them to carrot (Daucus carota) carotenoids. The carotenoids were extracted from mamey and carrot, and their antioxidant capacity were determined via in vitro (ABTS method) and in vivo assays (resistance against oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans). The carotenoid contents in mamey and carrot were 4.42 ± 0.12 and 5.47 ± 0.04 mg β-carotene/100 g, respectively. Despite the differences between the carotenoid contents in both products (p 0.05). The mamey and carrot carotenoid extracts decreased the oxidative damage in C. elegans by 20–30% and 30–40%, respectively. Both extracts increased the resistance and enhanced the survival of the nematodes, and showed better effects than pure β-carotene, probably owing to the complex mixture in the carotenoid extracts. These results suggest that mamey is a good alternative source of carotenoids and that it protects against oxidative stress in C. elegans. The protective effect of mamey carotenoids was similar to the effect of carrot carotenoids.

Carotenoids are natural pigments and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables such as carrot, tomato, orange, mango, yellow corn, pumpkin, and mamey. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant potential of mamey (Pouteria sapota) carotenoids and compared them to carrot (Daucus carota) carotenoids. The carotenoids were extracted from mamey and carrot, and their antioxidant capacity were determined via in vitro (ABTS method) and in vivo assays (resistance against oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans). The carotenoid contents in mamey and carrot were 4.42 ± 0.12 and 5.47 ± 0.04 mg β-carotene/100 g, respectively. Despite the differences between the carotenoid contents in both products (p 0.05). The mamey and carrot carotenoid extracts decreased the oxidative damage in C. elegans by 20–30% and 30–40%, respectively. Both extracts increased the resistance and enhanced the survival of the nematodes, and showed better effects than pure β-carotene, probably owing to the complex mixture in the carotenoid extracts. These results suggest that mamey is a good alternative source of carotenoids and that it protects against oxidative stress in C. elegans. The protective effect of mamey carotenoids was similar to the effect of carrot carotenoids., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Mamey carotenoids displayed similar antioxidant activity to carrot carotenoids. • Mamey and carrot carotenoids increased the oxidative stress resistance of C. elegans. • Continuous exposure to carotenoids enhanced the resistance of the progeny. • Natural mixture of carotenoids had better antioxidant effects than pure β-carotene.

Natural products are vital in drug discovery and the search for anticancer agents has been significant importance to the researchers for a long time. In the present study, aqueous leaf extract of Pouteria sapota (P.sapota) was evaluated for its cytotoxic activity. The leaf extract was preliminarily screened for antioxidant activity using DPPH method for Radical Scavenging Activity, Hydrogen Peroxide Scavenging Activity and Reducing Power Activity. Further, the aqueous leaf extract was screened for cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) in vitro. The results of the study showed that aqueous extract of the P.sapota leaf was rich in phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and showed a significant anti-cancer activity against tested MCF-7 cell lines. The present study was designed to evaluate the anticancer potential of P.sapota leaf. The antioxidants present in P.sapota have strong cytotoxic activity suggests that it can be considered for anti-cancer treatment., Graphical abstract fx1, Highlights • The P. sapota showed a significant anti-cancer activity against cell lines. • The GC analysis showed many active constituents. • The active constituents exhibit biological activity.