In vitro antitumor activity of cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside.
BACKGROUND
Little is currently known regarding the cancer-preventive potential of cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (Cy-g) apart from its antioxidant activity.


METHODS
We tested Cy-g on Jurkat and HL-60 leukemia cell lines and, to help elucidate whether the effects of Cy-g are specific for cancer cells, also on normal T lymphocytes.


RESULTS
Cy-g induced apoptosis in all three cell systems, and this indicated that Cy-g was not selective towards leukemia cells. Moreover, Cy-g caused HL-60 differentiation. The induction of apoptosis and cytodifferentiation involved different proteins, thus suggesting that Cy-g-induced apoptosis and cytodifferentiation are two distinct events.


CONCLUSIONS
Although obtained in vitro, our findings indicate that Cy-g possesses some interesting biological properties that should encourage further investigation as regards its chemotherapeutic potential.
Fimognari
Carmela
C
University of Bologna, Italy. carmela.fimognari@unibo.it
Berti
Fausto
F
Nusse
Michael
M
Cantelli Forti
Giorgio
G
Hrelia
Patrizia
P
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
D000872:Anthocyanins; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C462279:cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside