Extracts from Cell Suspension Cultures of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch): Cytotoxic Effects on Human Cancer Cells

Abstract

Natural compounds are emerging as agents for the treatment of malignant diseases. We previously showed that extracts from in vitro cell suspension cultures of strawberry reduced murine melanoma cell proliferation, as shown for fruit extracts. In this work, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and spectrophotometric analyses were carried out to identify the bioactive compound exerting the detected cytotoxic activity. Moreover, aiming to confirm the anti-proliferative activity of the extracts against both paediatric and adult human tumors, cytotoxic experiments were performed on neuroblastoma, colon, and cervix carcinoma cell lines. Extracts from in vitro cell suspension cultures of strawberry induced a statistically significant reduction of cell growth in all the tumor cell lines tested. Interestingly, human fibroblasts from healthy donors were not subjected to this cytotoxic effect, highlighting the importance of further preclinical investigations. The accurate mass measurement, fragmentation patterns, and characteristic mass spectra and mass losses, together with the differences in chromatographic retention times and absorbance spectra, led us to hypothesize that the compound acting as an anti-proliferative agent could be a novel acetal dihydrofurofuran derivative (C8H10O3, molecular mass 154.0630 amu)

Flavonoids: A Myth or a Reality for Cancer Therapy?

“…In vitro techniques may represent a tool for improving flavonoid biosynthesis and availability throughout the year to overcome these problems. Different plant in vitro cultures (i.e., callus, cell suspension cultures, organ, and hairy root cultures) and transformation techniques have been utilized to investigate and to improve the synthesis of these important molecules [31][32][33][34][35]. Several approaches have been taken into account, such as selecting high-yielding lines, precursor feeding, and the use of elicitors [36].…”

Assessment of Physicochemical Quality, Antioxidant Content and Activity, and Inhibition of Cholinesterase between Unripe and Ripe Blueberry Fruit

“…Many studies have reported the higher intake of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing chronic disease [ 3 , 4 ]. Berries contain many bioactive compounds and are reported to have high antioxidant [ 5 ], antitumor [ 6 , 7 ] and anti-inflammatory activities [ 8 ]. Among the various berries such as blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and cranberries are consumed not only in raw form but also in the form of beverages, yoghurt, jelly, and jam as processed foods.…”

“…Among the various berries such as blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and cranberries are consumed not only in raw form but also in the form of beverages, yoghurt, jelly, and jam as processed foods. In many in vitro and in vivo experiments, berries are known to reduce the risk of cancer because they contain abundant amounts of phenolic acid, flavonoids, tannins, stilbenes, vitamin C, and vitamin E [ 6 , 7 , 9 ].…”

Fragaria Genus: Chemical Composition and Biological Activities

“…The ellagitannin-enriched fraction also induced necrosis and apoptosis in the threated cells, decreased chymotrypsin-like activity of the 26S proteasome, impaired autophagic flux, promoted the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, and decreased the expression of several proteasome subunits. Lucioli et al [91] evaluated the influence of hydroalcoholic extracts (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol) from in vitro cell suspension on the proliferation of several cancer cells (neuroblastoma, colon, and cervix carcinoma cell lines). The extracts induced a statistically significant reduction of cell growth but did not affect the human fibroblasts from healthy donors.…”