Antioxidant Properties and Cytotoxic Effects of Fractions from Glasswort (Salicornia herbacea) Seed Extracts on Human Intestinal Cells

• Published in: Food science and biotechnology Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 115 - 122
• Main Authors: Kang, S.M., Seoul Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kim, D.R., Seoul Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Lee, B.H., Seoul Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kim, M.R., Seoul Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Chiang, M.H., Seoul Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Hong, J.I., Seoul Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology 01.02.2011; 한국식품과학회
• Subjects: ANTIOXIDANTES; ANTIOXIDANTS; ANTIOXYDANT; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Food Science; glasswort seed; intestinal cell; Nutrition; Research Article; Salicornia herbacea; TOXICIDAD; TOXICITE; TOXICITY; 식품과학; antioxidant; intestinal cell; glasswort seed; cytotoxicity
• ISSN: 1226-7708; 2092-6456
• DOI: 10.1007/s10068-011-0016-7

Glasswort (Salicornia herbacea L.) is a halophyte that grows in the salt marshes and has been used as a seasoned vegetable and a traditional folk medicine. In the present study, the antioxidant properties and cytotoxic effects of glasswort seeds on human colon and intestinal cells were investigated. A series of solvent fractions, including fractions of hexane (Fr.H), ethyl ether (Fr.E), ethyl acetate (Fr.EA), and water (Fr.W) were prepared from 70% methanol extract of glasswort seeds. Fr.EA contained the highest level of total polyphenols and flavonoids followed by Fr.E. Radicals of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and nitric oxide were most effectively scavenged by Fr.EA. Among the solvent fractions, Fr.E showed the most potent cytotoxic effects on HCT 116 and HT-29 colon cancer cells, and was significantly less toxic to INT-407 normal immortalized intestinal cells. The selective toxicity between normal and cancer cells was not observed in cells treated with Fr.H or Fr.EA. Fr.W rather stimulated cell growth by 10-20% in the range of 100-400 ㎍/mL. The results indicate that the fractions from seeds of glasswort have potent antioxidant and cytotoxic effects, and can be used as a dietary source for medicinal application.