Can the extracts of mango provide the next novel drugs for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers? CHUKWUMA MUANYA, Assistant Editor (Head Insight Team, Science and Technology) writes.

Mango is usually sought after because of its sumptuous but nutritious yellowish endocarp (the inner layer surrounding the seeds). The leaves and bark have also been used in Nigeria for treating malaria.

But researchers have found new use for the endocarp as well, as the peels and seed kernels of mango in the management of breast, colorectal and cervical cancers.

Botanically called Mangifera indica, mango belongs to the plant family Anacardiaceae.

[ad]

A recent study has confirmed that the kernel extract of mango has potential anticancer activity against breast cancer cells.

The study titled “Cytotoxic effects of Mangifera indica L. kernel extract on human breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines) and bioactive constituents in the crude extract” was published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Until now, mango is thought to be antioxidant-rich, conferred by its functional phytochemicals.

The researchers evaluated the potential anticancer effects of the ethanolic kernel extract on breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) using MTT, anti-proliferation, neutral red (NR) uptake and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays.

Cytological studies on the breast cancer cells were also conducted, and phytochemical analyses of the extract were carried out to determine the likely bioactive compounds responsible for such effects.

Results showed the extract induced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 30 and 15 μg/mL, respectively. The extract showed significant toxicity towards both cell lines, with low toxicity to normal breast cells (MCF-10A). The cytotoxic effects on the cells were further confirmed by the NR uptake, antiproliferative and LDH release assays.

Bioactive analyses revealed that many bioactives were present in the extract although butylated hydroxytoluene, a potent antioxidant, was the most abundant with 44.65 per cent.

[ad]

The researchers concluded: “These findings highlight the potentials of Mangifera indica L extract in the treatment of breast cancer. Its therapeutic potential is huge and can be used as alternative to or supplementation for the various therapy currently used in the treatment of breast cancer. However there is a need to identify the actual components responsible for this cytotoxicity and to isolate them and to study their effect in vivo to ascertain their efficacies and or any side effects. The concerns of side effects with pharmacological agents, and growing interest in plant bio resources for treatment of cancers mean this extract could have important role in future studies on the management of breast cancer.”

According to the study, of the twelve compounds detected, five compounds have been previously reported to possess anticancer potentials, including phenol, 4,6-di (1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-methyl- (44.65 per cent), Fumaric acid, 2-decyl undecyl ester (2.85 per cent), Isoheptadecanol (1-Hexadecanol, 2-methyl) (2.74 per cent), Apigenin 7-glucoside (1.74 per cent), and cis-5-Dodecenoic acid, (3-cyanopropyl) dimethylsilyl ester (1.47 per cent).

The researchers further explained: “In addition, the other compounds have also been shown to exhibit some biological activities including antioxidant activity. Phenol, 4,6-di (1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-methyl- also known as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was found to be the most abundant in the extract, and is a common food additive that is reported to have high antioxidant potentials. It is commonly used in the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and other industries largely due to its antioxidant properties. Apigenin 7-glucoside, a phenolic compound with potent antioxidant and anticancer potentials, was also found to be present in the extract.

“It is most probable that the cytotoxic effects of the extract of Mangifera indica L. on breast cancer cells as shown in this study are due to more than one bioactive compound in view of the multiple compounds detected in the extract and since a crude extract was used. Already, some of the compounds found in the extract have been reported to have effects favourable for an anticancer activity, and these effects could have been synergistically contributed to the anticancer potentials observed in the extract.”

Also, America researchers have found United States researchers have found that regular intake of diets rich in mango could prevent cancer proliferation.

The study titled “Polyphenolics from mango (Mangifera Indica L.) suppresses breast cancer ductal carcinoma in situ proliferation in both in vitro and in vivo models for cancer” was published in The FASEB Journal.

The researchers from Interdisciplinary Programme of Toxicology and Nutrition and Food Science Texas A&M University College station TX United States noted: “Around 25 per cent of all newly diagnosed breast cancer cases are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the most common non-invasive form of breast cancer and given the side-effects of conventional therapy there is a great need for alternative treatment strategies.

“Polyphenolics, a secondary plant metabolite, have been implicated in reducing cancer risk and tumor-growth, and have fewer side effects than conventional synthetic molecules. In this study, mango polyphenols and the major microbial metabolite pyrogallol were tested both in vitro and in vivo to determine their modulating effects on the P13K/AKT/mTOR axis in MCF10DCIS.COM cells.

“Following in vitro exposure, these cells showed decrease proliferation and down regulation of mRNA, total protein, and phosphorylated protein along the P13K/AKT/mTOR axis. Pyrogallol had the greatest effect on phosphorylated protein compared to controls. In vivo, the oral exposure to polyphenols in a nude mouse model xenografted with MCF10DCIS.COM cells into the mammary pads resulted in decreased tumor volume. Results suggest that a diet rich in mango could prevent cancer proliferation in situ.”

Yet another study has shown that the seed kernel of mango could be used to stop colorectal cancer.

The study published in Biomedical & Life Sciences is titled “Different Mechanisms of Seed Kernel Extract from Mangifera indica on the Growth of Two Colon Cancer Cell Lines.”

The researchers noted: “Flesh extract of Mangifera indica possesses anti-proliferation effect on different types of cancer cells…. The results indicate that MSP is a potential novel chemoprevention and treatment agent for colorectal cancer.”

Also, mango peel extracts have been used to inhibit the spread of cervical cancer.

[ad]

The study titled “Mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel extracts inhibit proliferation of HeLa human cervical carcinoma cell via induction of apoptosis” was published in Journal of the Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry.

The researchers noted: “Flesh and peel extracts of five mango varieties were compared for their antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Fozli peel (FP) extract was found to have the highest antioxidant activity and to significantly inhibit the proliferation of HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner.

“These results indicate that FP is an excellent source of phenolic and/or flavonoid compounds, and may have applications in the treatment of human cervical carcinoma and as an antioxidant in the food and pharmaceutical industries….”