Elucidation of the Anticancer Mechanism of Durian Fruit (Durio zibethinus) Pulp Extract in Human Leukemia (HL-60) Cancer Cells

Abstract

Durian (Durio zibethinus L.) grows widely in Southeast Asia. The pulp of the durian fruit contains carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibers, various vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. This study was carried out to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of action of the methanolic extract of the fruit of Durio zibethinus (D. zibethinus) on human leukemia (HL-60) cells. The methanolic extract of D. zibethinus fruits exhibited its anticancer effect on HL-60 cells by inducing DNA damage and apoptosis. The DNA damage was confirmed by comet and DNA fragmentation assays. The methanolic extract of D. zibethinus fruits has been shown to cause cell cycle arrest in HL-60 cells during the S phase and G2/M phase. Additionally, the methanolic extract caused induction of the apoptotic pathway in the HL-60 cell line. This was confirmed by increased expression in pro-apoptotic proteins, viz., Bax protein expression, and a substantial reduction (p < 0.001) in anti-apoptotic proteins, viz., Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expressions. Therefore, this study confirms that the methanolic extract of D. zibethinus exerts its anticancer effects on the HL-60 cell line, causing cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis by an intrinsic mechanism.

Durian fruit pulp extract enhances intracellular glutathione levels, mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation for neuroprotection

“…In this study, we report, for the first time, the presence of γ-EC in UDE as a potential neuroprotective biomarker associated with the augmentation of intracellular GSH levels. It’s noteworthy that previous studies extensively documented the pharmacological properties of durian fruit pulp extract, including its antiproliferative 30 – 34 , neuroprotective 35 , and antidiabetic 32 activities on human cell lines. Despite the comprehensive nature of these studies, none have identified specific biomarkers within the durian extract until now.…”

“…Past research has highlighted the medicinal properties of durian fruit pulp extract, including its antiproliferative effects on various human cancer cell lines 30 – 34 , neuroprotective effect on the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y 35 , and antidiabetic effect on the HepG2 cell line by regulating glycolysis regulatory genes 32 . However, to our knowledge, no studies have explored the impact of durian pulp extract on boosting intracellular GSH levels in human cells under oxidative stress.…”

Extraction of flavonoids from durian (Durio zibethinus) fruit rinds and evaluation of their antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer properties

“…The anticancer activity of durian has increasingly attracted considerable attention. Abdul Rahman et al (2023) reported that the methanolic extract of durian fruits showed anticancer properties against the HL-60 cell lines by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the anticancer property of different fractions from durian fruit rinds is still limited.…”