Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation in vitro by fruit and berry extracts and correlations with antioxidant levels.
The effects of 10 different extracts of fruits and berries on cell proliferation of colon cancer cells HT29 and breast cancer cells MCF-7 were investigated. The fruits and berries used were rosehips, blueberries, black currant, black chokeberries, apple, sea buckthorn, plum, lingonberries, cherries, and raspberries. The extracts decreased the proliferation of both colon cancer cells HT29 and breast cancer cells MCF-7, and the effect was concentration dependent. The inhibition effect for the highest concentration of the extracts varied 2-3-fold among the species, and it was in the ranges of 46-74% (average = 62%) for the HT29 cells and 24-68% (average = 52%) for the MCF-7 cells. There were great differences in the content of the analyzed antioxidants in the extracts. The level of the vitamin C content varied almost 100-fold, and the content of total carotenoids varied almost 150-fold among the species. Also in the composition and content of flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, and phenolics were found great differences among the 10 species. The inhibition of cancer cell proliferation seen in these experiments correlated with levels of some carotenoids and with vitamin C levels, present at levels that can be found in human tissues. The same inhibition of cell proliferation could not be found by ascorbate standard alone. This correlation might indicate a synergistic effect of vitamin C and other substances. In MCF-7 cells, the anthocyanins may contribute to the inhibition of proliferation.
Olsson
Marie E
ME
Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 44, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden. Marie.Olsson@vv.slu.se
Gustavsson
Karl-Erik
KE
Andersson
Staffan
S
Nilsson
Ake
A
Duan
Rui-Dong
RD
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts