Raspberry seeds extract selectively inhibits the growth of human lung cancer cells in vitro

Abstract

This study was focused on in vitro cytotoxicity screening of the raspberry seeds methanol extract towards a number of cancer cell lines of human origin. The tested extract at the preferred concentrations (IC50 <30 µg/mL) inhibited only the growth of the lung cancer A-549 cells (IC50 = 14.07 ± 0.96 µg/mL). At the same time, it was practically inactive (IC50 >300 µg/mL) and non-mutagenic towards normal MRC-5 lung cells. Finally, the extract potently scavenged both OH· (IC50 = 20.11 ± 1.77 µg/mL) and O2-· (IC50 = 47.23 ± 3.82 µg/mL), the free radicals of proved relevance for cancer pathophysiology. Though seeds were enriched with phenolic compounds (TPC = 5.21 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g), anthocyanins were present in traces only (TAC = 0.07 ± 0.003 mg cyn-3-glu/g), while flavonoids were not detected at all. This is the first report on anti-lung cancer potential of the seeds of any soft fruit.