Antioxidant activities and antitumor screening of extracts from cranberry fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Oct 9;50(21):5844-9. doi: 10.1021/jf0202234.

Abstract

Polyphenolic compounds in cranberries have been investigated to determine their role in protection against cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Extracts of whole fruit were assayed for radical-scavenging activity and tumor growth inhibition using seven tumor cell lines. Selective inhibition of K562 and HT-29 cells was observed from a methanolic extract in the range of 16-125 microg/mL. Radical-scavenging activity was greatest in an extract composed primarily of flavonol glycosides. Seven flavonol glycosides were isolated and purified from whole fruit for further evaluation; the anthocyanin cyanidin 3-galactoside was also purified for comparison with the flavonoids. Three flavonol monoglycosides were newly identified by (13)C NMR as myricetin 3-alpha-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-xyloside, and 3-methoxyquercetin 3-beta-galactoside (isorhamnetin); the other four isolated were the previously identified myricetin 3-beta-galactoside, quercetin 3-beta-galactoside, quercetin 3-alpha-arabinofuranoside, and quercetin 3-alpha-rhamnopyranoside. These compounds were evaluated for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity and ability to inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro. Most of the flavonol glycosides showed antioxidant activity comparable or superior to that of vitamin E; cyanidin 3-galactoside showed activity superior to that of the flavonoids as well as vitamin E or Trolox in both antioxidant assays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / analysis
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Flavonols
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Glycosides / pharmacology
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vaccinium macrocarpon / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids
  • Flavonols
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Glycosides
  • Plant Extracts