3-Methylthiopropionic acid ethyl ester, isolated from Katsura-uri (Japanese pickling melon, Cucumis melo var. conomon), enhanced differentiation in human colon cancer cells.
The fully ripened fruit of Katsura-uri Japanese pickling melon ( Cucumis melo var. conomon) has rarely been used for food because the midripened fruit is utilized for making pickles, but the fully ripened fruit is no longer valuable for pickles due to the fruit body being too soft. We have considered the utilization of the fully ripened Katsura-uri fruit that may be used for nonpickling products, particularly if the fully ripened fruit demonstrated health benefits such as anticarcinogenic properties. The phytochemical extract from the fully ripened fruit of Katsura-uri Japanese pickling melon was purified via a bioassay-guided fractionation scheme, which was based on the induction of differentiation in a RCM-1 human colon cancer cell line. On the criteria of two differentiation markers (duct formation and alkaline phosphatase activity), the most potent fraction contained a compound identified as 3-methylthiopropionic acid ethyl ester, based on GC retention time, EI-MS, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR spectra. Previously, the role of 3-methylthiopropionic acid ethyl ester was considered as an odor producing compound in many fruits, but this study indicates potential medical benefits of this compound.
Nakamura
Yasushi
Y
Department of Food Sciences and Nutritional Health, Kyoto Prefectural University, Shimogamo-Hangi, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8522, Japan. yas@kpu.ac.jp
Nakayama
Yuko
Y
Ando
Hitomi
H
Tanaka
Atsuo
A
Matsuo
Tomoaki
T
Okamoto
Shigehisa
S
Upham
Brad L
BL
Chang
Chia-Cheng
CC
Trosko
James E
JE
Park
Eun Young
EY
Sato
Kenji
K
D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D028463:Cucumis melo / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D011422:Propionates / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D011422:Propionates; C017526:3-methylthiopropionate; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase