ANTI-CANCER POTENTIAL OF BLUEBERRY EXTRACT AGAINST COLON CANCER CELL LINES

Mahesh Bhalsing and Ganesh Kardile*

ABSTRACT

Colon cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with rising incidences in both developed and developing nations. Conventional treatments for colon cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often produce adverse side effects, necessitating the exploration of natural alternatives. This study investigates the anti-cancer activity of acetone fruit extract of Vaccinium pallidum (blueberry) against colon cancer cell lines (HCT116, HT29, and HT115) using the MTT assay. The extract was prepared and screened for phytochemicals, revealing the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, carbohydrates, phytosterols, and triterpenoids, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated dose-dependent activity, with CTC50 values of 230 ± 16.32 μg/ml, 140 ± 23.0 μg/ml, and 290 ± 26 μg/ml for HCT116, HT29, and HT115 cell lines, respectively. Higher cytotoxicity was observed in HT29 cells, indicating stronger inhibitory potential. The results suggest that the extract may induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation through mitochondrial activity disruption. This study highlights the therapeutic promise of Vaccinium pallidum in combating colon cancer, underscoring the importance of dietary phytochemicals as safe, effective alternatives. Future research should focus on elucidating the precise molecular pathways involved and evaluating in vivo efficacy to support clinical applications.

Keywords: Colon Cancer, Blueberry Extract, Vaccinium pallidum, Cytotoxicity, Phytochemicals, MTT Assay.