Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Telomerase Effects of Blackberry Juice and Berry-Derived Polyphenols on HepG2 Liver Cancer Cells and Normal Human Blood Mononuclear Cells

Background: Previous studies have provided strong evidence for the anticancer activity of berry fruits. Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of blackberry juice and three berry-polyphenolic compounds on cell proliferation and telomerase activity in human hepatoma HepG2 and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: The cell viability and telomerase activity were measured by MTT and TRAP assay, respectively. Berry effects on the expression of genes were determined by quantitative RT-PCR assay. Results: Blackberry, gallic acid, and resveratrol inhibited proliferation of both HepG2 and PBMC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Resveratrol was more effective than gallic acid for reducing the viability of HepG2 cells, but both showed the same level of growth inhibition in PBMC cells. Berry, resveratrol, and gallic acid significantly inhibited telomerase activity in HepG2 cells. The antiproliferative effect of berry was associated with apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Gallic acid was more effective for reducing telomerase activity than resveratrol, but anthocyanin moderately increased telomerase activity in cancer cells. Telomerase activity was induced by all three polyphenols in PBMCs. Overall, Krumanin chloride was more effective to induce telomerase than gallic acid and resveratrol in PBMC cells. There was no significant difference in hTERT, hTR, and Dnmts expressions between berry treated and the control untreated HepG2 cells. But, a significant downregulation of HDAC1 and HDAC2 and upregulation of SIRT1 were observed in berry-treated cells. Conclusion: These data indicate that the berry anticancer effect is associated with antitelomerase activity and changes in HDACs expression. The data also suggest that berry antitelomerase activity is mainly related to its gallic acid and resveratrol, but not anthocyanin content.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that blackberry, gallic acid, and resveratrol have inhibitory effects on the proliferation of both hepatoma and normal cells. Resveratrol is more effective in reducing hepatoma cell viability compared to gallic acid, while both show similar growth inhibition in normal cells. Berry, resveratrol, and gallic acid significantly suppress telomerase activity in hepatoma cells, suggesting their potential in anticancer activity.