betalains and Prostatic-Neoplasms

Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has high nutritional value, containing bioactive compounds such as betalains and flavonoids. Scientific evidence points to the use of these natural compounds in the treatment of several types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in men. Here, we compared beet roots and leaves extracts, and their main compounds, apigenin, and betanin, respectively, in DU-145 and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. Both cells presented the proliferation decreased for beetroot and beet leaves extracts. The apigenin treatment also reduced the proliferation of both cell lines. Regarding cell migration, beet leaves extract was able to decrease the scratch area in both cell lines, whereas apigenin affected only PC-3 cells' migration. In colony formation assay, both extracts were effective in reducing the number of colonies formed. Besides, the beet leaves extracts and apigenin presented strong inhibition of growth-related signaling pathways in both cell lines, and the beetroot extract and betanin presented effects only in DU-145 cells. Furthermore, the extracts and isolated compounds were able to reduce the levels of apoptotic and cell cycle proteins. This study reveals that beet extracts have important anti-cancer effects against prostate cancer cells.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; Beta vulgaris; Betalains; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Humans; Male; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Plant Roots; Prostatic Neoplasms

Juices of nine prickly pears (Opuntia spp.) were characterized in terms of color, acidity, sugar content, phenolics, flavonoids, betalains and antioxidant activity and tested in vitro against four cancer cell lines. The juices had pH s, acidities and sugar ranging from 4.27 to 5.46, 0.03 to 0.27% and 8 to 14.7 degrees Brix, respectively. Juices also varied in color from white to purple and contained total phenolics, flavonoids, betaxanthins, betacyanins and antioxidant capacity ranging from 22 to 226 microg gallic acid eq/g, 95 to 374 microg quercetin eq/g, 3 to 189 microg/g, 1.6 to 300 microg/g and 17 to 25 micromoles Trolox eq./mL, respectively. Among the cancer lines tested, viability of prostate and colon cells were the most affected. Moradillo contained the highest flavonoids and diminished both prostate and colon cancer cell viability without affecting mammary or hepatic cancer cells. Rastrero reduced the growth of the four cancer cell lines without affecting normal fibroblast viability. The research shows intervarietal differences among prickly pears in terms of juice properties and phytochemicals that could prevent oxidative stress and cancer.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Betalains; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Colonic Neoplasms; Female; Flavonoids; Fruit; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Opuntia; Phenols; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Prostatic Neoplasms