Effect of Feijoa Sellowiana Acetonic Extract on Proliferation Inhibition and Apoptosis Induction in Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Sabino Russi,Graziella Marino,Orazio Ignomirelli,Michele Aieta,Mario Ciuffi,Pietro Zoppoli,Adriana Basile,Viviana Maresca,Alessandro Sgambato,Tiziana Notarangelo,Geppino Falco,Simona Laurino

doi:10.3390/app10217756

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) still represents a relevant health problem in the world for both incidence and mortality rates. Many studies underlined that natural products consumption could reduce GC risk, indicating flavonoids as responsible for the beneficial effects through the modulation of several biological processes, such as the inhibition of cancer antioxidant defense and induction of apoptosis. Since Feijoa sellowiana fruit is known to contain high amounts of flavonoids, among which is flavone, we evaluated the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of F. sellowiana acetonic extract on GC cell lines through MTS and Annexin-V FITC assays. Among three GC cell lines tested, SNU-1 results being sensitive to both the F. sellowiana acetonic extract and synthetic flavone, which was used as the reference treatment. Moreover, we evaluated their antioxidant effects, assessing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes supeoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in polymorphonuclear cells. We found a significant increase of their activity after exposure to both F. sellowiana acetonic extract and flavone, supporting the idea that a diet that includes flavone-rich fruits could be of benefit for health. In addition to this antioxidant effect on normal cells, this study indicates, for the first time, an anticancer effect of F. sellowiana acetonic extract in GC cells.

Highlights

Gastric cancer (GC) represents the fifth-most common cancer in the world, with a high mortality rate [1,2]
To evaluate the possible use of F. sellowiana fruits as nutraceutical, functional food or, perhaps, To evaluate the possible use of F. sellowiana fruits as nutraceutical, functional food or, perhaps, even even in the pharmacological field, we assessed its antioxidant activity on Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes (PMN), which can be in the pharmacological field, we assessed its antioxidant activity on PMNs, which can be considered, considered, albeit with obvious precautions and caution, a model of normal cell response to the albeit with obvious precautions and caution, a model of normal cell response to the treatment
The antioxidative enzymes status was measured by supeoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) the antioxidative enzymes status was measured by SOD, CAT and GPx activities in PMN cells treated activities in PMN cells treated with F. sellowiana acetonic extract and flavone

Summary

Introduction

Gastric cancer (GC) represents the fifth-most common cancer in the world, with a high mortality rate [1,2]. Gastrectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy represent the main therapies for treating GC [3], which success is limited by anticancer drug resistance [4]. A significant role in GC prevention and management is played by a natural diet [5,6]; many studies highlighted that GC risk was mitigated by the intake of natural products [7]. These evidences were supported by numerous epidemiological studies that evaluated the anticancer activity of natural dietary products, including fruits, soy, vegetables, cereals and several spices [8,9].

Methods

Results

Conclusion