Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has high nutritional value, containing bioactive compounds such as betalains and flavonoids. Scientific evidence points to the use of these natural compounds in the treatment of several types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in men. Here, we compared beet roots and leaves extracts, and their main compounds, apigenin, and betanin, respectively, in DU‐145 and PC‐3 prostate cancer cell lines. Both cells presented the proliferation decreased for beetroot and beet leaves extracts. The apigenin treatment also reduced the proliferation of both cell lines. Regarding cell migration, beet leaves extract was able to decrease the scratch area in both cell lines, whereas apigenin affected only PC‐3 cells' migration. In colony formation assay, both extracts were effective in reducing the number of colonies formed. Besides, the beet leaves extracts and apigenin presented strong inhibition of growth‐related signaling pathways in both cell lines, and the beetroot extract and betanin presented effects only in DU‐145 cells. Furthermore, the extracts and isolated compounds were able to reduce the levels of apoptotic and cell cycle proteins. This study reveals that beet extracts have important anti‐cancer effects against prostate cancer cells.

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide.Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) has bioactive compounds that can inhibit the progression of different types of cancer. To analyze the antiproliferative effects of beet leaf and root extracts, we performed MTT, clonogenic survival, cell cycle analysis, Annexin/PI labeling, and western blotting. Here, we report that 10 and 100 μg/ml of root and leaf extracts decreased cell viability and potentiated rapamycin and cisplatin effects while decreased the number of large colonies, especially at 10 μg/ml (293.6 of control vs. 200.0 of leaf extract, p = .0059; 138.6 of root extract, p = .0002). After 48 hr, 100 μg/ml of both extracts led to increased sub-G1 and G0/G1 populations. In accordance, 100 μg/ml of root extract induced early apoptosis (mean = 0.64 control vs. 1.56 root; p = .048) and decreased cell size (p < .0001). Both extracts decreased phosphorylation and expression of mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, especially by inhibiting ribosomal protein S6 (S6) phosphorylation, increasing cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polysomerase 1 (PARP1) and Bcl-2-like protein 11 (BIM), and decreasing cyclin D1 expression, which regulates cell cycle progression. Here, we demonstrate that beetroot and leaf extracts could be an efficient strategy against cervical cancer.