Chemical Composition of Volatile Extracts From Blackberries, Black Raspberries, and Blueberries and Their Apoptotic Effect on A549 Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVES: Berry volatiles are responsible for the flavor and aroma of berries. Berry volatiles has been recently reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, there is still limited information available on the health-promoting activities of berry volatiles. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the chemical composition of volatile extracts from blackberries, black raspberries, and blueberries and to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of three berry volatile extracts on A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cells and their mechanism. METHODS: The chemical composition of berry volatile extracts (BVEs) from blackberries (BK), black raspberries (BR), and blueberries (BU) were identified by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells were treated with different dilutions (2-, 4-, and 8-fold dilutions) of three berry volatile extracts for 12, 24, and 48 h. The proliferation of A549 was measured by using an MTS assay. The induction of apoptosis and changes in the cell cycle by berry volatile extracts were analyzed by using a cell death detection ELISA kit and flow cytometry. All statistical tests were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's multiple comparisons. The significant difference was defined at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Total volatiles in BK, BR, and BU volatile extracts were 1588.5 ± 170.9,3184.9 ± 75.3, and 3107.5 ± 256.4 μg/L, respectively. Among them, monoterpene was the most abundant compound in all three BVEs. All BVEs with two-fold dilution significantly induced apoptosis after 24 h (p < 0.05) and inhibited the proliferation of A549 after 48 h treatment (p < 0.05). In the cell cycle, the proportion of cells in G0/G1 interphase increased with two-fold diluted BVE treatments (64.9–73.1%) compared to control (60.3%) after 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that berry volatile extracts from blackberries, black raspberries, and blueberries have the anti-proliferative effect on non-small lung cancer cells through apoptosis and possibly cell cycle arrest. This suggests that berry volatiles from blackberry, black raspberry, and blueberry may have a potential impact on lung cancer. FUNDING SOURCES: Arkansas Biosciences Institute.