From Fruit Waste to Medical Insight: The Comprehensive Role of Watermelon Rind Extract on Renal Adenocarcinoma...

Area of Science:

• Natural Product Chemistry
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Oncology

Background:

• Natural products are a rich source of potential anticancer agents.
• Watermelon rind extract (WRE) contains bioactive compounds, including citrulline.
• Human renal cell adenocarcinoma cells (HRAC-769-P) are a relevant model for kidney cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anticancer properties of WRE in HRAC-769-P cells.
• To evaluate WRE's effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, senescence, and gene expression.
• To identify potential molecular mechanisms underlying WRE's anticancer activity.

Main Methods:

• Metabolome analysis of WRE to identify constituents, including citrulline.
• In vitro treatment of HRAC-769-P cells with varying concentrations of WRE.
• Assessment of cell proliferation, viability, apoptosis (poly caspase), senescence (SA-beta-gal), and migration.
• RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs).

Main Results:

• WRE significantly reduced cell proliferation and viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
• WRE induced early poly caspase response and inhibited cell migration.
• RNAseq identified 186 DEGs associated with NF-Kappa B signaling and TNF pathways, including apoptosis-related genes.
• High citrulline content in WRE may contribute to apoptosis induction via nitric oxide production.

Conclusions:

• WRE exhibits significant anticancer properties against human renal cell adenocarcinoma cells in vitro.
• WRE exerts its effects by modulating cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and altering gene expression.
• WRE, particularly its citrulline component, represents a promising natural agent for kidney cancer therapy.