Inhibition of neoplastic transformation of benzo[alpha]pyrene-treated BALB/c 3T3 murine cells by a phytochemical extract of passionfruit juice

J Med Food. 2004 Winter;7(4):402-7. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2004.7.402.

Abstract

The phytochemical composition of passionfruit juice (PFJ) was hypothesized to have valuable anti-cancer activity, and this was tested in a BALB/c 3T3 neoplastic transformation model. A higher concentration of PFJ compared with a lower concentration was effective in reducing the number, size, and invasiveness of transformed foci. When incubated with another mammalian cell line, the MOLT-4, PFJ was unable to alter the cell cycle kinetics while at the same time was successful in inducing the activity of caspase-3, an enzyme that commits the cell to apoptosis. This suggests that phytochemicals found in PFJ were able to produce the changes in transformed foci due to apoptotic mechanisms rather than by a reduction in cell proliferation. These beneficial results were achieved at levels that could theoretically be attained in the plasma after consumption of the juice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Benzo(a)pyrene / toxicity
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic* / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Passiflora / chemistry*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Casp3 protein, mouse
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases