Physiological concentrations of phytosterols enhance the apoptotic effects of 5-fluorouracil in colon cancer cells
Abstract Combining natural products as co-adjuvants in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy might enhance the effectiveness of 5-FU by avoiding a high dosage and/or reducing treatment times. We explored the anticancer efficacy of the phytosterols (PS) at concentrations achievable in the human colon, as well as their potential as sensitizing agents of human colon cancer cells (Caco-2 and HT-29) to 5-FU treatment. Cells proliferation, combination index, cell cycle, apoptosis, caspases activation, ROS production, and ΔΨm were determined. Co-treatment (PS+5-FU) had an antiproliferative additive effect, and moreover, in general a significantly improved efficacy was observed on cell cycle arrest at…
Availability of polyphenols in fruit beverages subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and their effects on proliferation, cell-cycle and apoptosis in human colon cancer Caco-2 cells
Abstract Three fruit beverages: Fb (grape–orange–apricot), FbFe (Fb + iron sulphate) and FbFeM (FbFe + skimmed milk) were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Addition of Fe and milk decreased the phenolic content of Fb by 13% and 55%, respectively. The digestion process decreased the phenolic content by 47%, 60%, and 70% in Fb, FbFe and FbFeM with respect to the initial, non-digested, Fb. Caco-2 cells were incubated for 4 h daily for four days or continuously for 24 h with bioaccessible fractions obtained after the digestion (digests). Polyphenols were not metabolised by Caco-2 cells. Fb digest (∼50 μM total phenolics) was the sample that led to the highest inhibition of cell …