In vitro evaluation of antileukemic activity of 17 commonly used fruits and vegetables in Taiwan

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro antileukemic activity of hot water (HW) or juice extracts of 17 frequently used fruits and vegetables in Taiwan. The cytotoxic effect against K562, P3HR1, Raji, and U937 leukemia cells was evaluated by the colorimetric XTT assay. Results showed that only HW extract of the fruit rind of Garcinia mangostana exhibited potent antileukemic activity. G. mangostana showed a significant cytotoxic effect against K562 and Raji cells (P<0.05) with IC50's Of 61.0 +/- 9.9 and 159.2 +/- 12.1 mu g/mL, respectively. It also possessed moderate anti-U937 activity, but was less effective against P3HR1 cells. The selectivity indices of G. mangostana on K562, U937, and Raji cells were higher than that of Catharanthus roseus, a reference compound. The other 16 tested samples were moderate, mild or less in their antileukemic activity. In conclusion, the promising and encouraging antileukemic activity of G. mangostana merit further investigation on its active component(s) and underlying mechanism(s) of action. (C) 2003 Swiss Society of Food Science and Technology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.