Synergy was observed between olive oil and tomato carotenoids in inhibiting HT-29 cancer cell proliferation. - GreenMedInfo Summary

BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicated that tomato is a rich source of phytochemicals that act on different tumors. In this research, the phytochemical composition of selected tomato varieties was assessed by GLC and UHPLC/HPLC-MS, as well as their antitumor activities on HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.

RESULTS: Significant differences were found among tomato varieties; lycopene was high in Racimo; phenolics in Pera; sterols in Cherry; and linoleic acid predominated in all varieties. The MTT and LDH assays showed significant time- and concentration-dependent inhibitory/cytotoxic effects of all tomato varieties on HT-29 cells. Furthermore, the joint addition of tomato carotenoids and olive oil to HT-29 cell cultures induced inhibitory effects significantly higher than those obtained from each of them acting separately, while no actions were exercised in CCD-18 normal cells.

CONCLUSION: Tomato fruits constitute a healthy source of phytochemicals, although differences exist among varieties. In vitro, all of them inhibit colorectal cancer cell proliferation with Racimo variety in the top, and exercising a selective action on cancer cells by considering the lack of effects on CCD-18 cells. Furthermore, synergy was observed between olive oil and tomato carotenoids in inhibiting HT-29 cancer cell proliferation; conversely, phenolics showed no significant effects and hindered carotenoids actions.