HPLC Analysis of Phytosterols in Prunus spinosa L. Extracts and Their Antiproliferative Activity on Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Sloe (Prunus spinosa L.) extracts are a good source of natural bioactive compounds, including phytosterols. Phytosterols are known to be applied in the treatment of various prostate diseases. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of sloe ethanolic extracts (flower, leaf, and fruit), collected from three areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were investigated against human prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145 using MTT assay. β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol were quantified by HPLC-PDA analysis using Symmetry C18 chromatographic column. The results of the analysis proved the presence of phytosterols, mostly β-sitosterol in all extracts. All extracts possess antiproliferative activity. The highest activity against PC-3 and DU145 was gathered from leaf extracts obtained by different extraction methods (microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction). To the best of our knowledge, no other studies have presented results on antiproliferative activity of ethanol sloe extracts. Based on these results, further investigation should be recommended on other cancer cell lines as well.

An Overview of the Phytochemical Composition of Different Organs of Prunus spinosa L., Their Health Benefits and Application in Food Industry

“…The total phenolic content and unique polyphenols analyzed by HPLC-DAD of the P. spinosa L. fruit have shown high levels of rutin and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, followed by gallic and transsynaptic acids [5]. Total polyphenol content was positively correlated with anthocyanin content and anti-oxidant activity of fruit juice [87], including significant phytosterol content with a significant impact on prostate cancer [2].…”

“…Harvesting time is late autumn, in November, after the fall of the mist, due to the decrease in astringency. The fruits can be harvested even in winter because they persist well on the branches [2,27,38].…”

“…Harvesting time is late autumn, in November, after the fall of the mist, due to the decrease in astringency. The fruits can be harvested even in winter because they persist well on the branches [2,27,38]. Data obtained to date have reported a total polyphenol and anthocyanin content contributing significantly to the anti-oxidant capacity of P. spinosa L. fruit based on the rich content of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (53.5%), peonidin-3-rutinoside (32.4%) and cyanidin-3glucoside (11.4%) [48].…”

“…These directions have been established based on recent studies that prioritize the global effort to find technological methods for food processing that minimize the loss or degradation of biologically active phytocompounds. The fruits of P. spinosa L. contain high levels of phenolic compounds, which have strong anti-oxidant properties [2][3][4][5]. These compounds have potential applications in the food and phytopharmaceutical sectors [1,4,[6][7][8][9].…”

“…Since oxidative stress is the main risk factor in several chronic and degenerative pathologies [7], researchers have put considerable effort into identifying and using natural antioxidants from both plants and edible berries so as to either prevent the onset or counteract the progression of the aforementioned diseases [2,7,25].…”