Polyphenols from Prunus mume: extraction, purification, and anticancer activity.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Natural Products Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Prunus mume is a traditional Asian medicinal herb and food source.
• Polyphenols are key bioactive compounds in Prunus mume, contributing to its health benefits.
• Optimizing polyphenol extraction is crucial for maximizing its therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient extraction method for Prunus mume polyphenols (L1).
• To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities of the extracted L1.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of L1 in combination with existing chemotherapeutic agents.

Main Methods:

• Single-factor tests and response surface methodology were employed for polyphenol extraction optimization.
• In vitro anticancer activity was assessed using MTT assays against HeLa, HepG2, MCF-7, and A549 cell lines.
• In vivo efficacy was evaluated in a tumor model, alongside apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection.

Main Results:

• Extraction yielded L1 with up to 90% polyphenol content.
• L1 exhibited significant in vitro anticancer activity against all tested cell lines (IC50 values ranging from 117.24 to 170.19 μg mL-1).
• Combination therapy, particularly L1-DOX, showed synergistic effects, with a notably low IC50 of 0.04 μg mL-1 against HepG2 cells. In vivo studies showed a 57.9% tumor inhibition rate with low toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Optimized extraction successfully produced a high-purity Prunus mume polyphenol extract (L1).
• L1 demonstrates potent anticancer properties in vitro and in vivo, with potential for synergistic effects with chemotherapy drugs.
• Further research into Prunus mume polyphenols is warranted for their therapeutic applications.