Ultrasound and high hydrostatic pressure extractions on antioxidant capacity, antiproliferative and apoptosis effects in gastric cancer cells by lemon extract treatment.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of lemon extracts (LE) against human gastric cancer cells (SNU-1) and normal human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1), and their mechanism of inducing cellular death. LE was obtained by three extraction methods: conventional (CE), ultrasound (UAE) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHPE). Experimental results show that the extraction method used to obtain the LE had a significant influence on antioxidant capacity, cellular proliferation, and induction of apoptosis in SNU-1 cells. LE was showed to be cytotoxic with an IC50 of 1747.0 µg mL-1 and 1704.3 µg mL-1, as obtained by UAE and HHPE, respectively. In addition, this extract induces apoptosis as evidenced by confocal microscopy. Our findings indicate that LE would be an attractive source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antiproliferative capacity and can improve the functional value of food.

Disease Prevention: An Opportunity to Expand Edible Plant-Based Vaccines?

The lethality of infectious diseases has decreased due to the implementation of crucial sanitary procedures such as vaccination. However, the resurgence of pathogenic diseases in different parts of the world has revealed the importance of identifying novel, rapid, and concrete solutions for control and prevention. Edible vaccines pose an interesting alternative that could overcome some of the constraints of traditional vaccines. The term "edible vaccine" refers to the use of edible parts of a plant that has been genetically modified to produce specific components of a particular pathogen to generate protection against a disease. The aim of this review is to present and critically examine "edible vaccines" as an option for global immunization against pathogenic diseases and their outbreaks and to discuss the necessary steps for their production and control and the list of plants that may already be used as edible vaccines. Additionally, this review discusses the required standards and ethical regulations as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with this powerful biotechnology tool.