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Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by an Extract Created from California Walnuts (JUGLANS SP.) in MDA‐MB‐231, MCF7, and HeLa Cells
Author(s) -
White J Brandon,
Pham Anh,
Le Vy,
Kim John,
Okuda Roy
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.805.5
Subject(s) - trypan blue , apoptosis , cell cycle checkpoint , hela , programmed cell death , chemistry , polyphenol , cell culture , juglans , chlorella sorokiniana , cell cycle , biochemistry , cell , pharmacology , biology , botany , antioxidant , chlorella , algae , genetics
Walnuts contain components that may slow cancer growth including omega 3 fatty acids, phytosterols, polyphenols, carotenoids, and melatonin. Previous reports have shown that feeding mice a diet that contains walnuts was able to inhibit growth of MDA‐MB‐231 human breast cancers implanted in nude mice. However, the compounds which elicit this action have yet to be elucidated. We have conducted a pilot to begin characterization compounds isolated from walnuts and their ability to kill cancer cells. A methanol extract was prepared from the kernel of walnuts, solvent evaporated and the powder was dissolved in DMSO to a concentration of 100mg/ml and was used in subsequent assays. The extract induced cell death as measured by the trypan blue exclusion assay in a dose and time dependent manner. Mitochondrial outer membrane potential decreased rapidly with treatment. Phosphatidyl serine flipping increased in a dose‐dependent manner. Our results suggest that compounds isolated from walnuts are capable of inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines. Current studies are underway to identify the specific components of the methanol extract which are responsible for these activities. This work was supported by a grant from the California Walnut Commission to JBW.