Cranberry phytochemical extracts induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Cancer Letters. 2005 December 22
The consumption of fruits and vegetables, rich in phytochemicals, has been linked with lower cancer rates. Previous in-vitro studies have shown that cranberry has anti-cancer properties. This study tried to determine the anti-cancer mechanism of cranberry phytochemicals on human breast cancer cells. During normal cell cycle the cell goes trough different phases: G0, G1, G2, M and S. The cell cycle of cancer cells should be stopped to prevent cancer proliferation. This study showed that cranberry phytochemicals significantly inhibited the proliferation of human breast cancer cells and caused apoptotic induction. The cranberry phytochemicals stopped the breast cancer cell growth at the start of the G1 phase. The study concluded that cranberry phytochemical could reduce the growth of human breast cancer cells partly as a result of initiation of apoptosis and the arrest of the G1 cell cycle phase.
Total cranberry extract versus its phytochemical constituents: antiproliferative and synergistic effects against human tumor cell lines.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2004 May 5;52(9):2512-7
The main phytochemicals in cranberries are flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative effects of different fractions from cranberries on the proliferation of different cancer cell lines (oral, colon and prostate cancer cells). The researchers found that the total polyphenol fraction showed the highest antiproliferation activity against all the cancer cell lines. The individual components showed lower effect whereas the cranberry sugars showed not effect. The study concluded that the high antiproliferative activity of total polyphenols compared individual phytochemicals suggests synergistic effect of the cranberry phytochemicals.
Identification of triterpene hydroxycinnamates with in vitro antitumor activity from whole cranberry fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2003 June 4;51(12):3541-5
Previous studies have shown that triterpenoid esters from cranberry inhibited tumour cell growth. The aim of this study was to identify the triterpenoid esters. The major phytochemicals are isomers of 3-O-p-hydroxycinnamoyl ursolic acid. These triterpene cinnamates showed antitumor activity in vitro tests. Quercetin and cyaniding were less active phenylboronic acid showed insignificant antitumor activity.
Antioxidant activities and antitumor screening of extracts from cranberry fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon).
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2002 Oct 9;50(21):5844-9
Polyphenolic phytochemicals can have a protective action against heart disease and some cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity and the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth of specific fraction from cranberry. The fraction high in flavanols showed the highest antioxidant activity. The researchers identified the 7 flavonol glycosides from myricetin and quercetin and one anthocyanin (cyanidin 3-galactoside). These phytochemicals were in vitro tested for radical scavenging capacity and ability to prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein oxidation. The researchers found that most phytochemicals showed higher antioxidant activity than that of vitamin E.
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