Phytochemical profiles, antioxidant activities, and synergistic antiproliferative effects of blueberry and apple peel extracts

Background

Blueberries and apples exhibit favorable bioactivity and health benefits due to their rich phytochemicals. Natural phytochemicals exist in complex forms, but there are few reports on whether have additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects between different phytochemicals. The aim of the present investigation was to elucidate the synergistic effects of blueberry extract (BE) and apple peel extract (APE) together in inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 liver cancer cells. Meanwhile, phytochemical characterization of BE and APE were detected by HPLC, and total antioxidant activity was determined via cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay, oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assay and peroxy radical scavenging capacity (PSC) assay.

Results

The results showed that BE and APE were rich in phytochemicals and had potent antioxidant activities, which synergistically inhibited cell proliferation. In the bilateral combination, the dose reduction index (DRI) value increased 2‐fold, and the combination index (CI) value at 95% inhibition was less than 1. Additionally, BE+APE supplementation could promote the expression levels of p53 and c‐myc genes. In conclusion, the BE and APE had strong antioxidant activity and exhibited synergistic inhibition against HepG2 cells proliferation.

Conclusion

This can provide a theoretical basis for the synergistic effect of different phytochemicals in health care.

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