Stellaria aquatica, belong to the family Caryophyllaceae (commonly known as the carnation family), is a perennial plant found in subtropical and temperate regions. In addition, the seeds of S. aquatica are known to be polyphenol-rich; however, the biological activities of S. aquatica seeds have not yet been evaluated. To enhance the use of S. aquatica seeds as functional food and natural medicine, the total polyphenolic content, and anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and immune-modulatory activities of S. aquatica seed extracts were investigated. The radical scavenging and reducing power activities of 1,000 μg/mL S. aquatica seed extracts were similar to those of BHT and α-tocopherol. In addition, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of S. aquatica seed extracts were the highest in 70% EtOH extract (27.30 mg GAE/g and 23.22 mg QE/g, individually). In the case of HepG2, A549, MCF-7, and B16 cells, IC 50 value of the 70% EtOH extract was lesser than that of other extracts, whereas the lowest IC 50 activity of EtOH extracts was noted in HT-29 and PC-3 cells. Furthermore, EtOH, MeOH and 70% EtOH extract-induced cancer cell death was related to apoptosis. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, 70% EtOH extract significantly improved immune-modulatory activity by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production without inducing significant cytotoxicity. Taken together, our results provide important insights into the bioactive potential of S. aquatica seed extracts as functional food ingredient and natural medicine.
Key words:anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, immune-modulatory activity, Stellaria aquatica seed extractComparison of biological activity between Stellaria aquatica seed extracts 229