Ultrasound and high hydrostatic pressure extractions on antioxidant capacity, antiproliferative and apoptosis effects in gastric cancer cells by lemon extract treatment

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of lemon extracts (LE) against human gastric cancer cells (SNU-1) and normal human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1), and their mechanism of inducing cellular death. LE was obtained by three extraction methods: conventional (CE), ultrasound (UAE) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHPE). Experimental results show that the extraction method used to obtain the LE had a significant influence on antioxidant capacity, cellular proliferation, and induction of apoptosis in SNU-1 cells. LE was showed to be cytotoxic with an IC50 of 1747.0 mu g mL(-1) and 1704.3 mu g mL(-1), as obtained by UAE and HHPE, respectively. In addition, this extract induces apoptosis as evidenced by confocal microscopy. Our findings indicate that LE would be an attractive source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antiproliferative capacity and can improve the functional value of food.

Automated summary

This study investigated the antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of lemon extracts on human gastric cancer cells, as well as their mechanism of inducing cellular death. The results showed that the extraction method significantly influenced the antioxidant capacity, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis induction in the cancer cells. Lemon extracts were cytotoxic and induced apoptosis, making them a potential source of bioactive compounds with functional value in food.