# Phaseolus coccineus Seed: A Valued Resource for Bioactive Compounds Targeting Health and Tumor Cells

## TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of Phaseolus coccineus seeds as a source of bioactive compounds that may inhibit human galectin-3, a protein linked to cancer and inflammation.

## Contribution

The study introduces Phaseolus coccineus seed extracts as a novel natural source of bioactive compounds with potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

## Key findings

- Peptide-rich extracts from Phaseolus coccineus seeds showed antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects on cellular models.
- The extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties and potential interaction with the Carbohydrate Recognition Domain of galectin-3.
- The study suggests that these bioactive compounds could inhibit galectin-3 activity, which is implicated in cancer progression.

## Abstract

Human galectin-3 (Gal-3), a β-galactoside binding lectin through its Carbohydrate Recognition Domain (CRD), is implicated in a wide range of cellular functions and is involved in critical biological processes including pathogen recognition, immune response, inflammation and fibrosis. Recently, Gal-3 has gained increasing attention for its role in pathological conditions such as cancer, where it influences cancer growth and progression, inflammatory processes and oxidative stress, opening the search for potential inhibitors. In this context, several naturally derived molecules have attracted particular interest, some of them being used in clinical trials. Here, we used the seeds of the legume Phaseolus coccineus as a green resource for bioactive compounds. The peptide-rich crude extracts were chemically characterized for their peptide and polyphenol contents, as well as their in vitro antioxidant activity, and the powerful obtained extract was tested for biological activities such as cytotoxicity and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on cellular models. Furthermore, the interaction between the crude extract and the CRD of recombinant Gal-3 was verified with the aim of associating its biological effects with the inhibition of Gal-3 activity.