Biological Characterization of Cynara cardunculus L. Methanolic Extracts: Antioxidant, Anti-proliferative, Anti-migratory and Anti-angiogenic Activities

Zélia Velez, Marco A. Campinho, Ângela R. Guerra, Laura García, Patricia Ramos, Olinda Guerreiro, Laura Felício, Fernando Schmitt and Maria Duarte
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Zélia Velez: Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Marco A. Campinho: Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Ângela R. Guerra: Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Baixo Alentejo e Litoral (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
Laura García: Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Baixo Alentejo e Litoral (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
Patricia Ramos: Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Baixo Alentejo e Litoral (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
Olinda Guerreiro: Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Baixo Alentejo e Litoral (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
Laura Felício: Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Baixo Alentejo e Litoral (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
Fernando Schmitt: Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Maria Duarte: Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Baixo Alentejo e Litoral (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal

Agriculture, 2012, vol. 2, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: Cynara cardunculus (Cc) is a multipurpose species; beyond its use in southwestern European cuisine, it is also used for the production of solid biofuel, seed oil, biodiesel, paper pulp and cheese, as well as animal feed. In addition, Cc has a long tradition of use in folk medicine as a diuretic and liver protector. The value of this species as a source of bioactive compounds is known; however, pharmacological use would further increase its cultivation. The main goal of the current work was to evaluate the potential of Cc as source of anti-carcinogenic phytochemicals. Different methanolic extracts obtained from wild and cultivated plants were tested for antioxidant activity and effect on breast tumor cell viability. The most effective extract, both as antioxidant and inhibition of tumor cell viability, was tested for effects on angiogenesis and tumor cell migration capacity. All the extracts tested had high antioxidant activity; however, only green leaves and dry head extracts exhibit anti-proliferative activity. Green cultivated leaves (GCL) were the most effective extract both as antioxidant and inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells; it is equally active inhibiting tumor cell migration and in vivo angiogenesis. GCL extract is an effective inhibitor of several key points in tumor development and thus a promising source of anti-carcinogenic phytochemicals.

Keywords: Cynara cardunculus; phenols; antioxidant; antitumor; breast cancer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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