Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of grape pomace and grape seed extracts on colorectal cancer cell lines

Grape pomace is the source of bioactive compounds (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan‐3‐ols, and stilbenes) which exhibit antiproliferative actions on cell cultures. We have investigated the antitumoral effects of grape pomace and grape seed extracts on colon cancer cells (Caco‐2, HT‐29) and fibroblasts. Crude extracts prepared from white and red pomace, and grape seeds, reduced the viability and proliferation of Caco‐2. HT‐29 cells were resistant to these actions. Purified extracts were then prepared from the same sources and compared with the LDH test; again, all three extracts were active and purified extract from grape seed was the most potent and specific on Caco‐2 cells. HT‐29 cells were more sensitive to these purified extracts. The biological activity resided almost exclusively in the flavonol and flavan‐3‐ols subfractions, rather than the anthocyanin subfraction. Preliminary results on the mechanisms involved in these effects revealed downregulation of Myc gene expression in HT‐29 and upregulation of Ptg2 in Caco‐2 cells