Beetroot and leaf extracts present protective effects against prostate cancer cells, inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and growth signaling pathways

Abstract

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.

Anticancer effects of root and beet leaf extracts (Beta vulgaris L.) in cervical cancer cells (HeLa)

“…To characterize the beet leaf and root extract, Folin‐Ciocalteu, ABTS, ORAC, and DPPH assays were performed. The root and leaf extracts exhibited 5.25 ± 0.2 mg/GAE/g and 9.3 ± 0.5 mg/GAE/g of total phenolic content, respectively, as previously published (Mancini et al, 2021). For antioxidant activity, the root extract showed 19.8 ± 0.6 for ABTS, 58.8 ± 3.0 for ORAC, and 10.2 ± 0.6 for DPPH assay.…”

“…Beet derivatives such as apigenin impaired clonogenic survival in human glioblastoma (B. Kim, Jung, Lee, Sohng, & Jung, 2016) and breast cancer, also inducing apoptosis via cell cycle arrest and cleavage of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP1) (Cao et al, 2013). The beet extracts used in this study inhibited the proliferation and migration of DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells and also inhibited growth‐related signaling pathways, like mTOR and cyclin D1 (Mancini et al, 2021).…”

Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of the First Tryptophyllin Found in Snake Venom (Bothrops moojeni)

“…In this assay, fluorescein loses its fluorescence as time goes by due to oxidative damage, and antioxidant molecules retard the rate of fluorescence loss. The ORAC assay was performed as previously described . The results were expressed in Trolox equivalents per grams of dry weight of the peptide (μmol Trolox/g synthetic peptide).…”

“…Neuro2a cells were treated with 100 μM peptide for 3 h combined or not with 25 μM arsenite also for 3 h. Western blotting was performed as previously described. , The following antibodies purchased from Cell Signaling were used: anti-Nrf2 (#12721), anti-SOD2 (#13141), anti-β-actin (#4970). Protein bands were visualized using Pierce ECL Western blotting substrate (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.) in a ChemiDoc imaging system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.), and densitometry was performed using ImageJ software v1.53.…”

“…The ORAC assay was performed as previously described. 78 The results were expressed in Trolox equivalents per grams of dry weight of the peptide (μmol Trolox/g synthetic peptide).…”