POLYPHENOLIC EXTRACTS FROM STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS MODULATE INFLAMMATION IN HUMAN LEUKEMIA CELLS

Introduction: In recent years strawberry has received much attention for its high nutritional value and potential benefits for human health1. The fruit, in fact, is a rich source of polyphenols whose role is well known in the maintenance and prevention of diseases such as cancer2. Therefore, with this study we aim to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of four Italian strawberry cultivars (Marimbella, Red Sara, Gioelita, Melissa) in the human myeloid leukemia cell line U-937. Methods: To study the anti-inflammatory effect, qRT-PCR and western blot analyses were performed after the cells were first stimulated with 1 µg/mL of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and then treated with the crude strawberry extract. Results: In our cellular model, after LPS stimulation, polyphenolic extracts significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 by lowering TNF-α and IL-1β levels. Furthermore, these derivatives were able to inhibit both nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conclusion: Our experiments suggest a potential anti-inflammatory effect induced by the polyphenolic extracts of the four Italian strawberry cultivars. Hence, this preliminary study is ideal for increasing our understanding of inflammatory processes in cancer, in particular, in leukemia regulated by natural compounds.