Effect of quercetin glucosides from Allium extracts on HepG2, PC-3 and HT-29 cancer cell lines

• Published in: Oncology letters Vol. 15; no. 4; pp. 4657 - 4661
• Main Authors: Pan, Yingkun, Zheng, Yi Mei, Ho, Wing Shing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greece Spandidos Publications 01.04.2018; Spandidos Publications UK Ltd; D.A. Spandidos
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Cancer; Cancer treatment; Chromatography; Flavonoids; Health aspects; Innovations; Oncology; Onions; Plant extracts; Quercetin; United States > US; apoptosis; cancer cells; Allium; quercetin glucoside
• ISSN: 1792-1074; 1792-1082
• DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.7893

The present study investigated the effects of quercetin glucosides, which were isolated from the Chinese onion ( ), garlic ( ), onion ( L.) and the Welsh onion ( L.) in HepG2, HT-29 and PC-3 cancer cell lines. Quercetin-3,4'-di-O-glucoside (3,4'-Qdg) and quercetin-4'-O-glucoside (4'-Qmg) comprise ~98% of the flavonoids in the methanol extract of onion. A small amount of 3,4'-Qdg is present in the Welsh onion and Chinese onion, whereas 4'-Qmg is also present in the Welsh onion. In HepG2 cells, 4'-Qmg was demonstrated to exhibit more significant growth inhibition compared with 3,4'-Qdg and quercetin 3-β-D-glucoside, but exhibited less inhibitory effects in PC-3 and HT-29 cells. These results suggest the anti-proliferative potential of 4'-Qmg in various cancer cell lines and the health benefits of the genus . The findings indicate the potential of 4'-Qmg as an anticancer agent for further development.