Dark Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Phenolics Enriched in Anthocyanins Induced Apoptosis in MDA-MB-453 Breast Cancer Cells through MAPK-Dependent Signaling and Reduced Invasion via Akt and PLCγ-1 Downregulation

Nutr Cancer. 2021;73(10):1985-1997. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2020.1817514. Epub 2020 Sep 14.

Abstract

Dark sweet cherries (DSCs) are rich source of phenolics known to exert anticancer and anti-invasive activities. This study elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of DSC phenolics against MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells In Vitro. Cells were treated with DSC phenolics in whole extract (WE), and fractions enriched in anthocyanins (ACN) and proanthocyanidins (PCN) at concentrations that inhibited cell growth by 50%. Results showed that DSC phenolics suppressed Akt and PLCγ-1 activation, and inhibited cell motility and invasion, but only ACN reached significance. The extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways were also activated by DSC phenolics via caspase-8 cleavage and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, with ACN exhibiting significant activation and stronger PARP-1 cleavage. Furthermore, sustained activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1/2 and p38 was observed wherein ERK1/2 (U0126) and p38 (SB203580) inhibitors confirmed crosstalk ERK1/2-Akt and MAPK intrinsic mitochondrial pathways. In conclusion, DSC phenolics inhibited MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells by targeting cell signaling pathways that induce apoptosis and suppress cell invasion, with ACN showing enhanced chemopreventive activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anthocyanins / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Prunus avium* / metabolism
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases