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Published on: January 11, 2019
Olive fruit extracts inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in HT-29 human colon cancer cells
M Emília Juan1, Uwe Wenzel, Valentina Ruiz-Gutierrez
1Departament de Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain. mejuan@ub.edu
Abstract:
Olives and their derivatives represent an important component of the Mediterranean diet that has been considered to be protective against cancer. We investigated the effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HT-29 cells of an extract from the skin of olives composed of pentacyclic triterpenes with the main components maslinic acid (73.25%) and oleanolic acid (25.75%). Studies of the dose-dependent effects showed antiproliferative activity at an EC50 value of 73.96 +/- 3.19 micromol/L of maslinic acid and 26.56 +/- 2.55 micromol/L of oleanolic acid without displaying necrosis. Apoptosis was confirmed by the microscopic observation of changes in membrane permeability in 40.9 +/- 3.9% and detection of DNA fragmentation in 24.5 +/- 1.5% of HT-29 cells incubated for 24 h with olive fruit extract containing 150 and 55.5 micromol/L of maslinic and oleanolic acids, respectively. Caspase-3 was activated in a dose-dependent manner after incubation for 24 h. The extract containing 200 micromol/L maslinic acid and 74 micromol/L oleanolic acid increased caspase-3-like activity to 6-fold that of control cells. Programmed cell death was induced by the intrinsic pathway, as evidenced by the production of superoxide anions in the mitochondria of cells treated with olive fruit extracts containing 150 and 55.5 micromol/L of maslinic and oleanolic acids, respectively. Our results report for the first time, to our knowledge, the inhibition of cell proliferation without cytotoxicity and the restoration of apoptosis in colon cancer cells by maslinic and oleanolic acids present in olive fruit extracts.
Insights
Olive compounds maslinic acid and oleanolic acid inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis without cytotoxicity. These findings highlight the potential of olive extracts in cancer research and Mediterranean diet benefits.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The Mediterranean diet, rich in olives, is linked to cancer protection.
- Olive skin contains pentacyclic triterpenes like maslinic and oleanolic acids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of olive skin extract on HT-29 colon cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.
- To determine the specific roles of maslinic and oleanolic acids in these processes.
Main Methods:
- Dose-dependent studies on HT-29 cells using olive fruit extract.
- Assays for cell proliferation, necrosis, apoptosis (membrane permeability, DNA fragmentation), caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial superoxide production.
Main Results:
- Olive extract demonstrated dose-dependent antiproliferative activity without inducing necrosis.
- Apoptosis was confirmed by increased membrane permeability and DNA fragmentation.
- Caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial superoxide production were significantly elevated, indicating programmed cell death via the intrinsic pathway.
Conclusions:
- Maslinic and oleanolic acids from olive fruit extracts inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation.
- These compounds restore apoptosis in colon cancer cells without cytotoxicity.
- Results suggest potential therapeutic applications for olive-derived compounds in cancer treatment.
