High hydrostatic pressure enhances the anti-prostate cancer activity of lotus bee pollen via increased metabolites

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The beneficial effect of bee pollen in inflammatory conditions of prostate gland is known for a long time. Clinicians confirm that, in nonbacterial prostate inflammations, bee pollen improves the condition of patients effectively removing the pain. However, there is insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for prostate cancer.

Aim of the study: High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), an effective non-thermal technique to improve the nutritional quality and bio-functional compounds plant-based foods, was used to increase the anti-cancer components and biological activities of Lotus (Nelumbo sp.) bee pollen (LBP) for the first time.

Materials and methods: The anti-prostate cancer activity of LBP was investigated and changes of metabolites were determined using UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS analysis platform. Results showed that cytotoxicity, cell apoptosis, cell cycle disruption, glutathione -depletion were increased most dramatically after treated with methanolic extract of HHP - treated LBP.

Results: The metabolomics analysis showed that some metabolites such as chaetoglobosin A, glutathione oxidized, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, brassicoside, sophoranone, curcumin II, soyasaponin II were significantly increased (p < 0.05) after the HHP treatment, PCA was shown the these bioactive components have quite correlation with anticancer activity of lotus bee pollen. The results indicated that HHP enhances the anti-prostate cancer activity of lotus bee pollen via increased metabolites.

Keywords: Cytotoxicity; High hydrostatic pressure; Lotus bee pollen extract; Metabolite; Prostate cancer.