Anti-Cancer Activity and Phenolic Content of Extracts Derived from Cypriot Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) Pods Using Different Solvents
Gregoria Gregoriou,
Christiana M. Neophytou,
Alexandru Vasincu,
Yiota Gregoriou,
Haria Hadjipakkou,
Eftychia Pinakoulaki,
Marios C. Christodoulou,
Georgia D. Ioannou,
Ioannis J. Stavrou,
Atalanti Christou,
Constantina P. Kapnissi-Christodoulou,
Siegfried Aigner,
Hermann Stuppner,
Antonis Kakas,
Andreas I. Constantinou
Affiliations
Gregoria Gregoriou
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Christiana M. Neophytou
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Alexandru Vasincu
Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iaşi, Romania
Yiota Gregoriou
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Haria Hadjipakkou
Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Eftychia Pinakoulaki
Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Marios C. Christodoulou
Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Georgia D. Ioannou
Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Ioannis J. Stavrou
Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Atalanti Christou
Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Constantina P. Kapnissi-Christodoulou
Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Siegfried Aigner
Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Hermann Stuppner
Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Antonis Kakas
Department of Computer Science, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Andreas I. Constantinou
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Extracts derived from the Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob) tree have been widely studied for their ability to prevent many diseases mainly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. In this study, we explored, for the first time, the anti-cancer properties of Cypriot carobs. We produced extracts from ripe and unripe whole carobs, pulp and seeds using solvents with different polarities. We measured the ability of the extracts to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer and normal immortalized breast cells, using the MTT assay, cell cycle analysis and Western Blotting. The extracts’ total polyphenol content and anti-oxidant action was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the DPPH assay. Finally, we used LC-MS analysis to identify and quantify polyphenols in the most effective extracts. Our results demonstrate that the anti-proliferative capacity of carob extracts varied with the stage of carob maturity and the extraction solvent. The Diethyl-ether and Ethyl acetate extracts derived from the ripe whole fruit had high Myricetin content and also displayed specific activity against cancer cells. Their mechanism of action involved caspase-dependent and independent apoptosis. Our results indicate that extracts from Cypriot carobs may have potential uses in the development of nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals.
