In vitro anticancer activity of cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside: effects on transformed and non-transformed T lymphocytes.
BACKGROUND
Little is known regarding the potentially chemopreventive activity of cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (Cy-g), the main anthocyanin present in the juice of pigmented oranges, apart from its antioxidant activity. After excluding a potential genotoxicity of Cy-g, its ability to induce apoptosis on transformed and normal T cells was analysed. In order to delineate the events leading to apoptosis, the expression of different proteins, known to be involved in apoptosis, was also measured.


METHODS
The evaluation of genotoxicity was performed by the micronucleus test. Flow cytometry was used for the analysis of apoptotic cells and proteins involved in the modulation of apoptosis.


RESULTS
Cy-g was nongenotoxic. Moreover, it induced apoptosis in both cell systems, modulated by an increase of p53 and bax proteins.


CONCLUSIONS
These interesting biological properties should encourage further studies into the chemopreventive potential of Cy-g. Nevertheless, its activity in normal T cells underlines the need for extensive toxicological investigation.
Fimognari
Carmela
C
Department of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48 - 40126 Bologna, Italy. carmela.fimognari@unibo.it
Berti
Fausto
F
Nüsse
Michael
M
Cantelli-Fortii
Giorgio
G
Hrelia
Patrizia
P
D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
D000872:Anthocyanins; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C494826:BAX protein, human; D005960:Glucosides; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C462279:cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside