Dried bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract fractions as antioxidants and cancer cell growth inhibitors

Abstract

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Three antioxidant fractions (Fr1, Fr2 and Fr3) were separated by solid phase extraction from dried bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and tested for antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. Vitamin C (1.02mg/100g) was identified in Fr1, six flavonoids in Fr2 and eight phenolic acids in Fr3. The most abundant compounds in Fr2 and Fr3 were quercetin (243.3mg/100g dried bilberry) and p-coumaric acid (57.87 mg/100g dried bilberry), respectively. The best free radical scavenging activity on hydroxyl radicals was expressed by Fr3 (EC50{dot operator}OH=0.117mg/ml), and on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrihydrazyl (DPPH) radicals by Fr2 (EC50DPPH{dot operator}=0.025mg/ml). Considering the kinetic behaviour, tested by spectrophotometrical DPPH method, the highest antiradical efficiency (AE=19.82ml/mg×min) was demonstrated by Fr2. Fr2 and Fr3 significantly inhibited the growth of cervix epitheloid carcinoma, breast adenocarcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, with IC50 ranging from 125.80 to 300.48μg/ml. Dried bilberry possesses beneficial effects in prevention of cancer and diseases which have been attributed to free radical production.