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Inhibition of cellular transformation by berry extracts

H Xue1, R M Aziz, N Sun

  • 1Division of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

Carcinogenesis
|February 22, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Freeze-dried strawberries and black raspberries show cancer chemopreventive potential. Methanol extracts (FA-ME, RU-ME) significantly reduced cell transformation induced by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), suggesting a role beyond ellagic acid.

Area of Science:

  • Chemoprevention
  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Berries like strawberries and black raspberries are investigated for cancer chemopreventive properties.
  • Ellagic acid, a key berry component, inhibits carcinogenesis, but other compounds may also contribute.
  • The Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell transformation model is used to assess anti-cancer effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the anti-transformation activity of strawberry (FA) and black raspberry (RU) extracts.
  • To compare the effects of specific fractions (FA-ME, RU-ME) and ellagic acid against benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-induced transformation.
  • To elucidate the potential mechanisms of chemopreventive action.

Main Methods:

  • Freeze-dried strawberries (FA) and black raspberries (RU) were fractionated.
  • Fractions and ellagic acid were tested for anti-transformation activity in SHE cells treated with B[a]P.
  • Time-course experiments (co-treatment and post-treatment) were conducted to assess inhibitory effects.

Main Results:

  • Ellagic acid, FA-ME, and RU-ME fractions demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of B[a]P-induced cell transformation.
  • FA-ME and RU-ME showed significant inhibition only during a 24-hour co-treatment with B[a]P.
  • Ellagic acid inhibited transformation in both co-treatment and post-treatment protocols.

Conclusions:

  • Methanol extracts (FA-ME, RU-ME) from strawberries and black raspberries exhibit cancer chemopreventive activity.
  • These extracts may act by interfering with the uptake, activation, or detoxification of B[a]P, or by affecting DNA binding/repair.
  • The findings support the potential of berry-derived compounds, beyond ellagic acid, in cancer chemoprevention strategies.

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