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Açaí, Euterpe oleracea Mart., is a native plant from the Amazonian and is rich in several phytochemicals with anti-tumor activities. The aim was to analyze the effects of açaí seed oil on colorectal adenocarcinoma (ADC) cells. In vitro analyses were performed on CACO-2, HCT-116, and HT-29 cell lines. The strains were treated with açaí seed oil for 24, 48, and 72 h, and cell viability, death, and morphology were analyzed. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the interaction between the major compounds in açaí seed oil and Annexin A2. The viability assay showed the cytotoxic effect of the oil in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Acai seed oil induced increased apoptosis in CACO-2 and HCT-116 cells and interfered with the cell cycle. Western blotting showed an increased expression of LC3-B, suggestive of autophagy, and Annexin A2, an apoptosis regulatory protein. Molecular docking confirmed the interaction of major fatty acids with Annexin A2, suggesting a role of açaí seed oil in modulating Annexin A2 expression in these cancer cell lines. Our results suggest the anti-tumor potential of açaí seed oil in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and contribute to the development of an active drug from a known natural product.

Smokeless propellants have been studied and manufactured for many decades. They can exist in various physical forms and also can have different properties according to the use of each propellant. One important form of smokeless powders is the ball powder, which has spherical grains. The manufacture process of the ball powder has many advantages over the usual way to manufacture a smokeless powder. For example, unstable and even deteriorated nitrocellulose, after being stabilized again, can be used to produce spherical powders. Also, the process to produce them requires less water and energy, which can result in a cheaper way to manufacture powders. In this review, the spherical powders manufacturing process is described, as well as the characteristics and advantages of this specific form of a double-base powder.