Cytotoxic effects of blueberry extract on normal and cancer cells of the human oral cavity

Abstract

Blueberries have been touted as potent antioxidants and attributed with many health benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neurodegenerative activities. This study investigated the effects of blueberry extract on normal and cancer cells of the human oral cavity. The Neutral Red (NR) assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of blueberries, and extensive cell death was noted in cancer cells treated with blueberry extract. Results of the NR and FOX assays indicated that blueberry extract exhibits significant prooxidant activity. Morphological changes observed in cancer cells treated with blueberry extract indicated that blueberries induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Experimentation to identify molecular signs of apoptosis was inconclusive and requires further repetition. The findings of this study suggest that blueberries exhibit prooxidant activity in cancer cells without harming normal cells, and that blueberries may be utilized successfully in the development of therapeutic cancer treatments.