Chemopreventive properties of young green barley extracts in in vitro model of colon cancer

Abstract

Introduction and objective. Young green barley is the most valuable source of nutrients and bioactive substances. It has a broad spectrum of health-promoting properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, anti-depressant, anti-atherosclerotic and anticancer. The presented study is an attempt to extend this knowledge with particular emphasis on the possibility of using green barley in colon cancer prevention. Materials and method. Extracts were prepared on the basis of two commercial products: ground dried barley grass (YGB INT) and powder of young green barley juice (YGB GW). Their influence on colon epithelial cells (CCD841 CoN) viability and proliferation were analyzed by LDH and MTT assays. Anticancer properties of extracts were screened on colon cancer cell lines (LS180, HT-29) by MTT and BrdU assays. Changes in cells morphology induced by extracts were investigated after May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining. Results. Tested extracts were not toxic against CCD841 CoN and did not affected their proliferation or morphology (LDH test, MTT test, microscopy observation). The MTT revealed that extracts significantly inhibited proliferation of colon cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Results of BrdU test confirmed antiproliferative properties of extracts, but opposite to MTT test, indicated YGB GW as a better anticancer agent. Light microscopy observation proved the data obtained from both MTT and BrdU tests and additionally suggested the ability of the extracts to induce necrosis in LS180 and HT-29 cells. Conclusions. The study demonstrated that YGB extracts specifically inhibit proliferation of colon cancer cells without any undesirable effect on colon epithelial cells. Obtained results will provide a rationele for the future development of dietary supplements which could be beneficial in colon cancer chemoprevention.

Enhancement of chemopreventive properties of young green barley and chlorella extracts used together against colon cancer cells

“…On the contrary, as expected, 10 μM 5-fluorouracil and 10 μM cis-platin decreased metabolic activity of CCD841 CoTr cells by 23.2% and 10.6%, respectively. Data obtained from YB correspond with earlier studies by the authors which demonstrated that juice and young green barley water extract had low cytotoxicity on human colon epithelial cell lines CCD841 CoTr and CCD841 CoN [9,10], nor did they impact on the proliferation of CCD841 CoN cells [9].…”

“…Changes in the morphology and growth pattern of HT-29 cells induced by YB extracts were similar with alterations observed by Kawka et al during examination of previously mentioned young green barley extracts YGB GW and YGB INT [9]. Furthermore, suggestions of necrosis induction in HT-29 cells treated with YB is supported by results obtained by Czerwonka et al, who proved this type of death in human colon cancer cells exposed to water extract of young green barley (HWE) [10].…”

“…These studies also showed significant antiproliferative properties of the water extract of young green barley dried juice (YGB GW), and the water extract of ground dried barley grass (YGB INT). Nevertheless, comparison IC50 values of YGB GW (IC50 = 2610 µg/ml) and YGB INT (IC50 = 497 µg/ml) revealed that the antiproliferative effect of YB extract was less effective than previously described [9]. Unfortunately, there is no data about the influence of chlorella extract on BrdU incorporation in colon cancer cells, which could be compared with presented results.…”

“…than YGB GW (water extract of young green barley dried juice; IC50 = 294 µg/ml) and YGB INT (water extract of ground dried barley grass; IC50 = 144 µg/ml), described by Kawka et al [9]. A significant decrease in metabolic activity in response to young green barley extracts has also been demonstrated in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line LS180 [9]. Furthermore, studies conducted by Madhujith [16].…”

“…Furthermore, several studies -especially in vitro tests -revealed anticancer properties of these green foods. Extracts or the juice of young green barley, as well as pure compounds isolated from them, successfully inhibited the growth and proliferation of the following human cancer cells: leukemia (Jurkat), lymphoma (NALM6, BJAB), breast cancer (MCF7), colon cancer (LS180, HT-29), lung cancer (A549) [9,10,11,12,13]. Next to in vitro studies, the anticancer effect of young green barley products was also observed in animals studies e.g.…”