Growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by partially purified nutraceutical proteins from quinoa bran

Shree Raksha, Srinivasu and Gnanesh Kumar Belur, Shivappa and Subba Rao Madhunapantula, V and Sachin Eligar, M. (2025) Growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by partially purified nutraceutical proteins from quinoa bran. Journal of Food Bioscience, 66. pp. 1-12.

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Abstract

Chenopodium quinoa, a pseudocereal, is gaining global attention for its unique nutritional properties. Quinoa bran, a natural milling byproduct, is rich in vital nutrients and nutraceutical compounds that exhibit various biological activities. The current study investigated the antiproliferative effect of nutraceutical proteins extracted from quinoa bran on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Bioactive proteins were purified using various chromatographic methods, resulting in two partially purified fractions (P2 and P3), that demonstrated dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition of Hep3B and HepG2 cells. The IC50 values for P2 and P3 against Hep3B cells were 48.39 μg/mL and 24.30 μg/mL, respectively, and for HepG2 cells, were 26.08 μg/mL and 61.84 μg/mL. The P2 and P3-induced apoptosis was evidenced by the activation of Caspase-3/7 and DNA fragmentation. Cell cycle analysis revealed an increased population of Sub G0 and S phases. Annexin-V-FITC staining showed a higher apoptotic population with increasing protein concentration. Enhanced expression of Bax and reduced levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, followed by the cleavage of pro-caspase-3 and PARP suggested the possible involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In-vivo studies on Swiss albino mice bearing EAC tumors demonstrated a significant reduction in tumor size compared to the control group. Peptide mass fingerprinting by LC-MS/MS identified probable bioactive proteins, including antiviral MAP-like proteins, trypsin inhibitor DE3- like, and ribosome-inactivating protein-like. Thus, the current study revealed that quinoa bran proteins have a potential antitumor effect and warrant a detailed study for their application in functional foods.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Quinoa bran, Antiproliferative, Bioactive proteins, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Apoptosis, Nutraceuticals
Subjects:	600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 16 Nutritive value > 03 Proteins 600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 16 Nutritive value > 08 Grains
Divisions:	Lipid Science and Traditional Foods
Depositing User:	Somashekar K S
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2025 09:23
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2025 09:23
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/19573

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