Santin and cirsimaritin from Betula pubescens and Betula pendula buds induce apoptosis in human digestive system cancer cells

Flavonoids are bioactive secondary metabolites of plants, which exert anti‐cancer effects. However, metabolism in enterocytes and the liver can influence the biological activity of flavonoids contained in the diet. Therefore, results from in vitro studies on cancer cells from the digestive tract and liver may reflect the real effects in the human body. Previously, we have found that the extract from birch buds exerts antiproliferative activity in a panel of cancer cells. In the present study, the anti‐cancer activity of ten flavonoids isolated from the buds of Betula pubescens and Betula pendula was characterized. Among them, santin and cirsimaritin significantly reduced viability, proliferation and clonogenicity of gastric (AGS), colon (DLD‐1) and liver (HepG2) cancer cells. Both flavonoids induced apoptosis, accompanied by activation of caspase‐3, caspase‐7, caspase‐8 and caspase‐9. Moreover, upregulation of p53 was detected only in wild‐type p53 harbouring cells. Together, our results suggest that santin and cirsimaritin exhibit promising anti‐cancer activity in cultures of digestive system cancer cells.