Green Extraction Enhances Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Properties of Pomegranate By-Products Against Human Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the anticancer effects of extract obtained from pomegranate by-products by green extraction (ultrafiltration and enzymatic extraction) (GE) on prostate (LNCaP), ovarian (A2780), breast (MCF-7), and colon (Caco-2) cancer cell lines compared to the traditional extraction (TE) and pomegranate juice (PJ). The GE sample demonstrated the highest total or individual phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. The major phenolics in all samples were determined to be ellagic acid, punicalagin A and punicalagin B. The 50% and 100% doses of the PJ exhibited a significant reduction in the viability of all cancer cells except LNCaP cells (only 100%) (p < 0.05). The TE sample showed a significant decrease in the viability of all cancer cells except the MCF-7 cell line (at all doses) at doses other than 1 M (p < 0.05). The GE sample caused a significant decrease in all cancer cells at all doses (1, 5, 25, 50, 100 and 150 M) (p < 0.05). Consequently, the GE sample applied with the green method was effective at all doses in reducing the viability of cancer cells.