Abstract
In our previous report, an 80% ethanol bitter gourd seed extract (BGSE) was found to suppress proliferation of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cell lines. The present study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds from BGSE specific against ATL. From the result of an HPLC-MS analysis, α-eleostearic acid (α-ESA) was present in BGSE at 0.68% ± 0.0022% (±SD, n = 5). In the cell proliferation test, α-ESA potently suppressed proliferation of two ATL cell lines (ED and Su9T01; IC50 = 8.9 and 29.3 µM, respectively) more than several other octadecanoic acids. However, α-ESA moderately inhibited phytohemagglutinin-activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC; IC50 = 31.0 µM). These results suggest that BGSE-derived α-ESA has potential as a functional food constituent because of its activity against ATL, particularly against ED cells. Moreover, α-ESA might be effective for the prevention of moderate adverse effects of ATL on normal T cells.
Highlights
Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) occurs in a small population of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) infected individuals
Peak 1 in Figure 1 was determined to be α-eleostearic acid (α-ESA), and α-ESA is the main compound in bitter gourd seed extract (BGSE)
The current study shows the presence of α-ESA in BGSE
Summary
Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) occurs in a small population of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) infected individuals. ATL after a long latency period (30–50 years) [1]. These patients have been frequently identified as being from a restricted area of tropical regions [2]. We found that an 80% ethanol bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) seed extract (BGSE) showed an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ATL-related human leukemia cells [3]. HL-60 and ATL cell lines comprise different types of leukemia cells, and as there have been no reports about bioactive compounds from BGSE active against ATL, the effect of BGSE on ATL cell proliferation requires elucidation.
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