Research Article

Blueberry anthocyanins and pyruvic acid adducts: anticancer properties in breast cancer cell lines

  1. Ana Faria1,2,*,
  2. Diogo Pestana1,
  3. Diana Teixeira1,
  4. Victor de Freitas2,
  5. Nuno Mateus2,
  6. Conceição Calhau1

Article first published online: 17 JUN 2010

DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3213

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Phytotherapy Research

Phytotherapy Research

Early View (Articles online in advance of print)

Additional Information

How to Cite

Faria, A., Pestana, D., Teixeira, D., de Freitas, V., Mateus, N. and Calhau, C. , Blueberry anthocyanins and pyruvic acid adducts: anticancer properties in breast cancer cell lines. Phytotherapy Research, n/a. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3213

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Biochemistry (U38-FCT), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

  2. 2

    Chemistry Investigation Centre (CIQ), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal

*Correspondence: Ana Faria, Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 17 JUN 2010
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 11 APR 2010
  3. Manuscript Revised: 6 APR 2010
  4. Manuscript Received: 5 MAR 2010

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Keywords:

  • anthocyanins;
  • anthocyanins derived pigments;
  • breast cancer;
  • invasion, proliferation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer properties of an anthocyanin-pyruvic acid adduct extract, which is being developed aiming to be further applied in the food industry. An anthocyanin extract from blueberry (extract I) and an anthocyanin-pyruvic acid adduct extract (extract II) were tested on two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF7). Proliferation was assessed by SRB assay and 3H-thymidine incorporation. Caspase-3 activity was determined in the presence of both extracts. Their capacity as chemoattractants and their invasive potential were also assayed.

In both cell lines, extracts I and II significantly reduced cell proliferation at 250 μg/mL, after 24 h of cell incubation. Caspase-3 activity was not altered by the extracts (250 μg/mL) in either cell line, with the exception of extract II in MCF-7, which increased its activity, probably explaining its effects on cell proliferation.

Both extracts (250 μg/mL) demonstrated significant antiinvasive potential in both cell lines. Furthermore, they did not demonstrate any capacity for chemotaxis.

In conclusion, blueberry anthocyanins and the respective anthocyanin-pyruvic acid adducts demonstrated anticancer properties by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and by acting as cell antiinvasive factors and chemoinhibitors. The anthocyanin-pyruvic acid adduct extract showed a more pronounced effect in MDA-MB-231, suggesting an effect independent of estrogen receptors. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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