Abstract
Consumption of vegetables rich in phenolic compounds has become a useful method to reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer. This study investigated the potential relationship between the alteration of phenolic compounds in lettuce induced by reduced nitrogen supply and its anti-proliferative effects on Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells. Our results showed that phenolic extracts from lettuce grown under low nitrogen conditions (LP) exhibited better anti-proliferative effects against Caco-2 cells, in part, by interfering with the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis, compared with those from lettuce supplied with adequate nitrogen. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and correlation analysis indicated that the better anticancer activity of LP may be not only related to the increased phenolic content, but also associated with the increased percentage contribution of quercetin to total phenolics. Taken together, alteration of phenolic composition by reduced nitrogen supply can be an effectively strategy for the development of healthy vegetables as anticancer products.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide [1]
A gradual increase of phenolic content was observed in leaves of lettuce plants that were subjected to prolonged low nitrogen treatment (LN; Figure 1A,B)
After three days of LN treatment, the lettuce plants contained higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents, which increased by 100.50% and 153.06%, respectively, at the end of the experiment compared to the control (CK)
Summary
Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide [1]. Epidemiological studies show that diets rich in vegetables are associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases, including cancer [2,3,4]. Phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds present in vegetables may contribute to this health-promoting effect. Phenolic compounds are one of the most abundant groups of secondary metabolites in vegetables, generally synthesized through the phenylpropanoid pathway This pathway is strongly influenced by many environmental factors, including temperature, light, and nutrient availability [9,10,11]. The results obtained may provide useful information about the feasibility of reduced nitrogen supply to modify phenolic composition in lettuce, thereby enhancing its anticancer activity
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