Cranberry fruits have been found to contain many types of compounds which have potential health benefits such as antioxidants, antibacterials and substances with cytotoxicity towards tumor cells. Recent study showed that some triterpenoids from cranberry fruits inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Further studies of these triterpenoids were performed in three areas: tumor cytotoxicity in vitro; effects on the expression of matrix metalloprotinases (MMPs) linked to tumor invasion and metastasis; and quantitative analysis of content in fruit and cranberry products using LC-MS. Two triterpenoid hydroxycinnamate esters were isolated from cranberry fruits (cis- and trans-3-O-p-hydroxycinnamoyl ursolic acid) and tested at NCI for cytotoxicity in 60 tumor-cell lines. Growth of several cell lines was inhibited at concentrations of 1 M or less. Crude cranberry extract and the triterpenoid esters also inhibited the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in DU-145 human prostate metastatic carcinoma. The content of these triterpenoids was determined quantitatively by LC-MS in various samples including red and white cranberries, cranberry sauces, juice, and supplements. Whole fruit products had the highest triterpenoid contents.
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