ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE PROPERTIES OF HOT PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUML.) SEEDS

Abstract

The antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of a methanol extract from hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds (pepper seed extract [PSE]) were evaluated. The polyphenolic content of the PSE was 10.9 ± 0.0 mg gallic acid equivalents/g residue, and the capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin contents were 22.7 and 6.5 mg/100 g of residue, respectively. The 2,2‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities of hot pepper seeds were 38.6 ± 0.7 and 20.8 ± 2.8 Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (mg/g residue), respectively. Pretreatment with PSE (500 µg/mL) significantly reduced (P < 0.05) reactive oxygen species generation in HepG2 cells compared with the control; however, PSE at low concentrations (10–200 µg/mL) had no effect on cellular antioxidation. PSE showed strong antiproliferative activity against MCF7 (73.5%), MKN45 (96.8%) and HCT116 (80.0%) tumor cells at a concentration of 500 µg/mL because of an increase in apoptosis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Agricultural and industrial residues are attractive sources of potential natural antioxidants. Pepper seeds are obtained as by‐products in the preparation of red pepper powder and constitute 4.14% of pepper by fresh weight. In this study, hot pepper seeds were evaluated as a new source of antioxidant and anticancer agents and as a functional material from agricultural waste. Pepper seed extract showed relatively low antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content but exerted profound antiproliferative effects on tumor cells, even at low concentration.

In vitro anti-proliferative activity of selected nutraceutical compounds in human cancer cell lines

“…A study by Senawong et al [ 25 ] demonstrated the anti-proliferative activity of capsaicin without cell-cycle arrest property against HCT 116 cells. Furthermore, it was shown that pepper seed extract, at a concentration of 500 µg/ml, exhibited greater anti-proliferative activity (96.8%) and increased apoptotic cell population by 2.2-fold in HCT 116 cell line [ 26 ]. Like AITC discussed above, capsaicin was shown to restore wild type p53 activities by degrading mutant p53 protein in other human cancer lines U373 (glioblastoma) and SKBR3 (breast cancer) carrying p53 mutation, rendering cancer cells to be more susceptible to cancer drugs [ 27 ].…”

Agricultural Waste

“…The authors found that the biologically active and total endotoxin concentration varied by location and that its concentration could be explained by meteorological data, wind speed, relative humidity, and dairy waste management practices. Jeon et al (2012) Lin, Huang, et al (2012) found that organic carbon, K + , and Clwere abundant in particles collected from the open burning of wax apple agricultural waste. The organic carbon/Na + , K + /Na + , and Cl -/Na + (mass) ratios in fine particles were 318, decreased.…”

Color Value, Free Amino Acid Content, and Antioxidant Potential of Seasoning Prepared with Hot Pepper Seeds

“…Hot pepper seed demonstrated significant health-promoting effects, having excellent anti-obesity activities (Jeon et al, 2010). In another study, hot pepper seeds showed strong antiproliferative activity against tumor cells (Jeon et al, 2012). As pepper seed is one of the major fruits in the world conferring health benefits due to their antioxidant activity (Kedage et al, 2007), phytosterols (Ruggieroa et al, 2013), and also contains a characteristic color value for seasonings, the present study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical changes in the seasonings by addition of various concentrations of pepper seed.…”