Antitumorigenic activity of Rubus sp. fruit extract in C6 rat and U87 human glioma cell lines

• Rubus sp. extract reduces the viability of rat and human glioma cell lines in vitro . • The extract modulates oxidative stress and inflammatory-related parameters in glioma cells. • Rubus sp. extract exhibits promising antitumor activity in vitro, supporting further preclinical investigation. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive neoplasm that affects the central nervous system, presenting therapeutic limitations due to resistance to common medications. Therefore, the search for therapeutic alternatives is necessary. This study focused on the therapeutic potential of methanolic blackberry extract ( Rubus sp .) against rat C6 and human U87 glioma cell lines, given the antioxidant and antitumor capacity of this fruit extract already described against other neoplasms. Furthermore, the impact of the extract on healthy cells, specifically primary astrocyte cultures, was assessed. Cells were exposed to blackberry extract at concentrations ranging from 125 to 2.000 µg/mL for 4, 6, 24, 48, or 72h. Then, cell viability and proliferation, cell migration, colony formation, interleukin levels, and oxidative stress were evaluated. Our results demonstrated the selective cytotoxic effect of blackberry extract, reducing viability and proliferation in both glioma lines without affecting primary astrocyte cultures. The levels of reactive oxygen species were significantly reduced at all tested concentrations, and in parallel, an increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase was observed. Furthermore, the treatment reduced the capacity for cell migration, tumor colony formation and growth, and interleukin-10 levels. Based on our data, we can suggest the antitumorigenic potential of blackberry extract, encouraging further research using in vivo glioma models.