Abstract
Purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) has been known to possess high amount of anthocyanins which contribute to its antioxidant activity. However, a few reports are available concerning its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this study, PFSP “Tainung 73,” which is locally grown in Taiwan, was steamed and extracted using acidified ethanol pH 3.5 under 80°C. Two kinds of crude anthocyanins extracts were obtained, namely, SP (Steamed, Peeled) and SNP (Steamed, No Peeled). Then, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of these extracts were investigated. Cell viability assay (MTT) showed that SP and SNP extracts were not toxic to RAW 264.7 cells. They even exhibited anti-inflammatory activities by suppressing the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines, such as NF-κβ, TNF-α, and IL-6, in LPS-induced macrophage cells. Anticancer activities of these extracts were displayed through their ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines, such as MCF-7 (breast cancer), SNU-1 (gastric cancer), and WiDr (colon adenocarcinoma), in concentration- and time-dependent manner. Further studies also revealed that SP extracts could induce apoptosis in MCF-7 and SNU-1 cancer cells through extrinsic and intrinsic pathway. In the future, PSFP extracts may have potential to be applied in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.
Highlights
Purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae [1]
Many scientific papers have reported that phytochemicals, such as phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, in fruit and vegetable possess high antioxidant activities that can reduce oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) [5, 6]
The most abundant anthocyanidin in Taiwanese Purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) Tainung 73 (TNG 73) has not been well identified, but it is often mentioned that cyanidin-3-glucoside was counted as the major anthocyanin in PFSP
Summary
Purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae [1] It ranks as the seventh important staple crop in the world and the fifth in developing countries after rice, wheat, maize, and cassava [2]. Previous studies have reported that anthocyanins demonstrated ability to protect against a myriad of human diseases such as liver dysfunction, hypertension, vision disorders, microbial infections, and diarrhea [15,16,17] Due to this fact, a high intake of anthocyanin-rich food has been associated with health preventive effects and reduced risks of age-related macular degeneration [18], anticancerogenic activity [19], antioxidant capacity [20,21,22,23], antiulcer activity [24], and reduced risks of cardiovascular disorders [25]. Their anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities have not been well studied
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