Anti-proliferative effects of a blueberry extract on a panel of tumor cell lines of different origin.

BACKGROUND Blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity and have been recognized by their health promoting properties. AIM In vitro study of the anti-proliferative effects of a blueberry extract on a panel of cancer cells from different origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS A blueberry extract was produced using ethanol as extracting solvent. The anti-proliferative activity of the extract was evaluated against seven tumor cell lines. The properties of blueberry extract to decrease cell adhesion and migration were also investigated. RESULTS Blueberry extract showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell proliferation for all cell lines. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of the extract decreased cell adhesion in five of seven cell lines studied and inhibited the migration of MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 tumor cells. CONCLUSION This work provides additional evidence regarding the ability of blueberry extract to inhibit the growth and decrease cell adhesion and migration of different cancer cell lines in vitro.