Polyphenols are natural compounds of high structural diversity which translates into a very wide spectrum of biological activities, including chemoprevention.
Here we report that a Japanese quince fruit flavanol preparation (JQFFP) caused favorable changes in Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio, which rendered normal and cancer cells more resistant and more sensitive, respectively, to apoptosis. DU145 human prostate cancer cells were characterized by the most advantageous Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The growth and invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were strongly suppressed by JQFFP, which was accompanied with a decrease in MMP-9 activity and stimulation of TIMP-1 expression. Importantly, JQFFP did not decrease normal human prostate PNT1A cell number, whereas Bax/Bcl-2 ratio decreased which implies increased resistance to apoptosis. In conclusion, JQFFP exhibited a potent antiproliferative effect against cancer cells, inhibited their invasiveness, and decreased expression level of several genes involved in apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Written by:
Lewandowska U, Szewczyk K, Owczarek K, Hrabec Z, Podsędek A, Koziołkiewicz M, Hrabec E. Are you the author?
Department of Medical Enzymology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Reference: Nutr Cancer. 2013 Feb;65(2):273-85.
doi: 10.1080/01635581.2013.749292
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23441615
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