Biological activities of quinoa seeds extract and their effects on antioxidants of cancer cells and ultrastructure of Candida tropicalis

Over the current decade, drugs based on natural sources have attracted much consideration. Quinoa seeds extract (QSE) was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry which reflected the presence of 23 compounds. QSE exhibited anticancer effect against prostate (PC-3) and ovarian (SKOV3) cancer cell lines with IC50 65.21 ± 0.24 µg/mL and 81.45 ± 0.79 µg/mL, respectively. Apoptosis of cancer cells was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. Oxidative markers including catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase decreased in specimens treated by QSE, while malondialdehyde increased in treated cancer cells. Growth of different yeasts was inhibited by QSE with different inhibition zones of 12±0.33, 13±1.5, and 21±0.5 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 250, 125, and 31.2 µg/mL using Candida glubruim, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy reflected ultrastructure changes in treated C. tropicalis by QSE, including cell wall rupture, collapse of cytoplasm, and shrinking of cytoplasmic membrane. It was concluded that QSE could suppress the proliferation of SKOV3 cells in vitro and induce their apoptosis. Moreover, the inhibition of tested yeasts might be mediated by ultrastructural changes.