Sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanins possess strong phase II enzyme inducer activity and cancer cell growth inhibition properties.
3-Deoxyanthoxyanins (3-DXA) possess unique chemical and biochemical properties and may be useful in helping reduce incidence of gastrointestinal cancer. This study tested sorghum extracts rich in 3-DXA as well as isolated and synthetic 3-DXA for potential to induce activity of phase II enzymes in murine hepatoma cells using the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) assay and to inhibit proliferation of the HT-29 human colon cancer cells using MTT and PicoGreen assays. Crude black sorghum extract that contained high levels of methoxylated 3-DXA was a strong inducer of NQO activity (3.0 times at 50 microg/mL), compared to red or white sorghum extracts with low or no methoxylated 3-DXA (1.6 times at 200 microg/mL). All sorghum extracts had strong antiproliferative activity against HT-29 cells after 48 h of incubation (IC(50) = 180-557 microg/mL). Among isolated fractions, nonmethoxylated 3-DXA were very effective against HT-29 cell growth (IC(50) = 44-68 microM at 48 h), but were noninducers of NQO. On the other hand, the methoxylated 3-DXA had both strong antiproliferative activity (IC(50) < 1.5-53 microM) and NQO inducer activity (2-3.7 times). Dimethoxylated 3-DXA were more potent than monomethoxylated analogues. Methoxylation of 3-DXA is essential for NQO activity and also enhances tumor cell growth inhibition.
Yang
Liyi
L
Division of Food Systems and Bioengineering and Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA.
Browning
Jimmy D
JD
Awika
Joseph M
JM
D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016660:NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045868:Sorghum / Q000737:chemistry*
D000872:Anthocyanins; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016660:NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)