The cytotoxic effects of a novel IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extracton cultured human cancer cells

Grape seed proanthocyanidins are natural antioxidants which possess a broad spectrum of chemoprotective properties against free radicals and oxidative stress. In this study, we have assessed the cytotoxicity of a novel IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) against MCF-7 human breast cance r cells, A-427 human lung cancer cells, CRL-1739 human gastric adenocarcino ma cells and K562 chronic myelogenous leukemic cells at 25 and 50 mg/lit co ncentrations for 0-72 h using cytomorphology and MTT cytotoxicity assay. In addition, we compared the effects on normal human gastric mucosal cells an d normal J774A.1 murine macrophage cells with the effects on the cancer cel l lines. Concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects of GSPE were o bserved on the MCF-7 breast cancer, A-427 lung cancer and gastric adenocarc inoma cells. Following incubation of the MCF-7 cells with 25 mg/lit of the GSPE approximately 6.5, 30 and 43% inhibitions in cell growth were observed at 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation, respectively, while incubation of the MC F-7 cells with 50 mg/lit of the GSPE resulted in 11, 35 and 47% inhibition in cell growth at these same points, respectively. Similar results were obs erved in the A-427 and gastric adenocarcinoma cells. GSPE exhibited no cyto toxicity toward the neoplastic K562 myelogenous leukemic cells. However, GS PE enhanced the growth and viability of the normal human gastric mucosal ce lls and J774A.1 murine macrophage cells. These data demonstrate that GSPE e xhibited cytotoxicity towards some cancer cells, while enhancing the growth and viability of the normal cells which were examined.