Evaluation of the antioxidant, cytotoxic and radioprotective potencial of the lectin WSMoL from <i>Moringa oleífera </i>Lam. seeds<i></i>

WSMoL (water-soluble lectin from the seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam.) is widely known for its biological properties, especially for its inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antitumor activity and is a promising candidate for a radioprotector of natural origin. Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential and the radioprotective effect of WSMoL in human lymphocyte culture (PBMC). The concentrations analyzed were 850, 425, 212.5, 106.25 and 53.12µg/mL. Materials and methods: Antioxidant activity was tested using the DPPH and ABTS assays. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were assessed using the MTT assay on PBMC lymphocytes. Radioprotection was verified by the Alkaline Comet and Micronucleus with Blockage of Cell Cytokinesis assays after exposure to Cobalt-60 gamma radiation. Results: In the DPPH test, WSMoL was unable to capture the radical. In the ABTS test, the inhibition index (I%) was ≤10% and the IC50 was 71.42 g/L. The MTT test showed that the lectin was not cytotoxic and cell viability was over 79%, with a maximum (≤125%) at a concentration of 53.12 µg/mL. In the Alkaline Comet test, the Damage Index (DI) observed was high at concentrations of 850 and 53.12 µg/mL (≥170 ± 30). The Damage Frequency (y) observed through the Micronucleus assay was 0.260 for the two concentrations analyzed, similar to the y of the irradiated control group. Conclusion: WSMoL did not show significant antioxidant activity in the DPPH and ABTS tests. The lectin did not show a cytotoxic profile, and its use at a concentration of 53.12µg/mL is recommended. WSMoL showed no radioprotective capacity after exposure to gamma radiation at a dose of 2.5Gy.