Inhibition of Mammary Cancer by Citrus Limonoids
Abstract
Citrus juices have many chemical components, we have shown to have anticancer properties, in vitro and in vivo. The principle agents investigated were the citrus limonoids: limonin, nomilin, and a limonoid glucoside mixture and the bioflavonoids: nobiletin, tangeretin, hesperetin and naringenin. Both sets of compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of cellular proliferation in estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) and -positive (ER+) cell lines. They were also found to act independently of the estrogen receptor. The bioflavonoids were shown to inhibit the growth of xenografted tumours in the nude mouse model. The effect of the limonoids in the treatment of an already established tumour in nude mice was investigated at their maximum tolerated dose. From histological analysis of mouse mammary tumours and cellular proliferation data it appeared that increased cell death was occurring. Therefore, to identify a mechanism of action for these compounds a FACS analysis was performed on cells treated with bioflavonoids and limonoids. Hesperetin, a bioflavonoid found in orange juice, induced apoptosis in MDA-MB 435 ER- cells. Naringenin from grapefruit juice had no effect. A limonoid glucoside mixture was also found to increase cell death, but the mode of action is still yet unclear.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA389910
Entities
People
- Ted Vandenberg
Organizations
- Western University