Abstract:CellsColon cancer cell lines were used to explore methods of enhancing the anti-tumor activity of apple dihydrochalcone against colon cancer. The growth inhibitory effects of phloretin and its analogues were measured using the MTT assay. The tumor inhibition rates of HT29, SW620, and HCT116 cells treated with 200 μM phloretin were 74.18%, 52.91%, and 72.78%, respectively, and phloretin showed stronger and braoder inhibitory activity than many of its dihydrochalcone analogues in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the interaction effects between phloretin and other different functional compounds in fruits and vegetables were investigated. Combinations of phloretin with resveratrol or curcumin showed synergistic inhibition against both SW620 and HCT116 cells. Particularly, in HCT116 cells, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for phloretin and curcumin when they were used simultaneously were 69.78 μM and 4.27 μM, respectively, which were dramatically lower than when phloretin or curcumin was used alone (153.88 μM and 8.80 μM, respectively). When these two components were used at a dose ratio of 20:1, all combination indices were lower than 1, and a synergistic effect was observed; this effect was greater at low concentrations. Our results provide a theoretical basis for further studies of the inhibitory activities of apple dihydrochalcone against colon cancer cells, and they can be used to guide consumers in maintaining a balanced diet.
