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Flavonoids Distinctly Stabilize Lymph Endothelial- or Blood Endothelial Disintegration Induced by Colon Cancer
Julia Berenda1,2, Claudia Smöch1,2, Christa Stadlbauer1,2
1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
The health effects of plant phenolics in vegetables and other food and the increasing evidence of the preventive potential of flavonoids in "Western Diseases" such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and others, have gained enormous interest. This prompted us to investigate the effects of 20 different flavonoids of the groups of flavones, flavonols and flavanones in 3D in vitro systems to determine their ability to inhibit the formation of circular chemorepellent induced defects (CCIDs) in monolayers of lymph- or blood-endothelial cells (LECs, BECs; respectively) by 12(S)-HETE, which is secreted by SW620 colon cancer spheroids. Several compounds reduced the spheroid-induced defects of the endothelial barriers. In the SW620/LEC model, apigenin and luteolin were most active and acacetin, nepetin, wogonin, pinocembrin, chrysin and hispidulin showed weak effects. In the SW620/BEC model acacetin, apigenin, luteolin, wogonin, hispidulin and chrysin exhibited weak activity.
Insights
Flavonoids from plants show potential in preventing Western diseases. This study found that certain flavonoids can inhibit defects in endothelial cells caused by colon cancer spheroids, suggesting a protective role.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Plant phenolics, particularly flavonoids, are increasingly recognized for their health benefits.
- Evidence suggests flavonoids may prevent chronic diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Western diseases represent a significant global health burden, driving research into preventive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of 20 different flavonoids on endothelial cell barrier integrity.
- To determine the inhibitory potential of flavonoids against 12(S)-HETE-induced circular chemorepellent induced defects (CCIDs).
- To assess flavonoid activity in 3D in vitro models using lymph- and blood-endothelial cells exposed to colon cancer spheroid secretions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D in vitro systems to model endothelial barrier function.
- Exposed lymph-endothelial cells (LECs) and blood-endothelial cells (BECs) to 12(S)-HETE secreted by SW620 colon cancer spheroids.
- Quantified the inhibition of circular chemorepellent induced defects (CCIDs) by various flavones, flavonols, and flavanones.
Main Results:
- Several tested flavonoids demonstrated the ability to reduce spheroid-induced defects in endothelial barriers.
- Apigenin and luteolin were identified as the most potent inhibitors in the SW620/LEC model.
- Acacetin, apigenin, luteolin, wogonin, hispidulin, and chrysin showed weak activity in the SW620/BEC model.
Conclusions:
- Certain flavonoids possess the capacity to protect endothelial cell barriers from cancer spheroid-induced damage.
- Specific flavonoids like apigenin and luteolin show promise in maintaining endothelial integrity.
- These findings support the investigation of dietary flavonoids as potential agents in managing diseases involving endothelial dysfunction.

