Cancer cell antiproliferation activity and metabolism of black carrot anthocyanins

The antiproliferation activity of a black carrot anthocyanin-rich extract (BC-ARE) on human cancer cells (HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma and HL-60 promyelocytic leukaemia) and metabolism of its characteristic anthocyanins (acylated and nonacylated forms) in humans were investigated. Cancer cells were exposed for 24 h to 0.0–2.0 mg/mL of BC-ARE. Anthocyanin-rich extract inhibited proliferation of both types of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. After ingestion of a black carrot concentrate, three acylated and two nonacylated anthocyanins were excreted in the volunteers (n=4) urine (0.048% of the administered dose). The anthocyanins were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Urine recovery of nonacylated anthocyanins was 8-fold higher than that of acylated anthocyanins.