Free radical scavenging activity of two Hylocereus species (Cactaceae) and their effect on the proliferation of HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines

Comparative Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Red and White Pitayas and Their Correlation with Flavonoid and Polyphenol Content

“…As shown in Table 1, the polyphenol contents of the methanolic extracts of red pitaya peel (RPP) and white pitaya peel (WPP) were approximately 3‐ and 5‐fold higher than those of RPF and white pitaya flesh (WPF) extracts, respectively. Previous studies (Sun and others 2002; Asmah and others 2008) have reported similar results for the red pitaya. Wu and others (2006) also noticed that total phenolic content per gram of extract in RPP was about 6 times more than that in flesh and in case of flavonoid, peel were about 5 times greater than those in flesh.…”

“…Phenolics are commonly found in fruits and have been reported to exhibit antioxidant and to scavenge free radicals through hydrogen or electron donation (Shahidi and Wanasundara 1992). Previous studies identified a positive relationship between phenolic functional groups and DPPH free radical‐scavenging activity (Huang and others 2002; Asmah and others 2008). The stronger antioxidant activity of WPP compared to RPP in the DPPH system likely stemmed from the higher polyphenol content of WPP.…”

“…For example, red pitaya was reported to offer many health benefits including chemoprevention of cancer, anti‐inflammatory and antidiabetic effects, and a reduction in the mortality risk of cardiovascular disease (Stintzing and others 2002; Cos and others 2004), as well as antioxidative properties conferred by its betacyanin content (Wybranice and Mizrahi 2002). Asmah and others (2008) reported that the flesh of H. polyrhizus (red pitaya) and H. undatus (white pitaya) are both rich in polyphenols. However, only ethanol extract of red pitaya flesh (RPF) displays promising antioxidant and antiproliferative effects against HeLa cells.…”

Pitaya Extracts Induce Growth Inhibition and Proapoptotic Effects on Human Cell Lines of Breast Cancer via Downregulation of Estrogen Receptor Gene Expression

“…For example, red pitaya was reported to offer many health benefits including chemoprevention of cancer, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects, and a reduction in the mortality risk of cardiovascular disease [ 40 ], as well as antioxidative properties conferred by its betacyanin content [ 41 ]. Asmah et al [ 42 ] reported that a red and white pitaya pulp are rich in polyphenols and a methanol extract showed promising antioxidant and antiproliferative capacity when used to treat cervix cancer cells (HeLa) and cytotoxic effect on human oral cancer cell metastases induced by B16-F10 melanoma.…”

Caracterização química, físico-química, atividade antioxidante e avaliação dos efeitos citotóxicos da pitaia-vermelha [Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose] cultivada no Brasil

“…Em estudo realizado por Asmah e colaboradres em 2008, os autores relataram que as polpas de H. polyrhizus (pitaia vermelha) e H. undatus (pitaia branca) são ricas em polifenóis e apresentam elevado potencial antioxidante. Somado a isso, demonstraram que o extrato etanólico da polpa de pitaia vermelha mostrou-se um promissor antioxidante, com efeitos anti-proliferativos na linhagem HeLa (linhagem de adenocarcinoma humano de câncer cervical) (67). Outro estudo mostrou ainda que a pitaia vermelha mostrou citotoxicidade em células metastáticas de câncer bucal (68).…”