Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Anti-Cancer Potential of Microwave-Assisted Opuntia humifusa (Korean Cheonnyencho) Aqueous Extract

TL;DR

This study explores the antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of a microwave-assisted extract from the Korean prickly pear cactus, showing it effectively inhibits colon cancer cell growth.

Contribution

The study introduces a microwave-assisted extraction method for O. humifusa and demonstrates its selective anti-cancer activity against colon cancer cells.

Findings

The extract showed significant antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals.

Colon cancer cell growth was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the extract.

The extract did not affect normal HDFa cells, indicating cancer cell selectivity.

Abstract

O. humifusa (Korean Cheonnyencho), a prickly pear cactus species, has garnered increased attention owing to its rich phytochemical composition and potential health benefits. In this study, the antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of a microwave-assisted aqueous extract derived from O. humifusa were investigated, and its phytochemical content was characterized. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify various bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidants known for their potential health-promoting properties. Furthermore, the individual compounds in the flavonoids were separated using the HPLC fractionation technique. The antioxidant potential of the aqueous extract was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. The results demonstrated the significant antioxidant activity of the extract, as evidenced by its ability to scavenge free radicals and effectively reduce oxidized molecules. The experiments involved treating colon cancer cells with varying concentrations of the extract (25 to 125 mg/mL) over a 24-h period, resulting in a remarkable dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth. Notably, this inhibitory effect was absent in HDFa cells, highlighting the potential selectivity of O. humifusa in targeting colon cancer cells.

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