Polyphenols of selected peach and plum genotypes reduce cell viability and inhibit proliferation of breast cancer cells while not affecting normal cells

Polyphenolic extracts and fractions of selected peach and plum genotypes were evaluated for cell viability and antiproliferation activity in vitro against an estrogen independent MDA-MB-435 and estrogen dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and one non-cancerous breast line MCF-10A. All extracts showed a phenolic dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against MDA-MB-435, weak activity against MCF-7 and small or no activity against MCF-10A. Genotype phenolic profiles showed varying degrees of polyphenolic mixtures. Fractionation of peach BY00P6653 extracts gave 4 fractions, with fraction F-I (caffeic acid derivatives) showing a strong activity against MDA-MB-435 followed by fraction F-II (anthocyanins). Induced-apoptosis by F-I on MDA-MB-435 was confirmed by Tunnel nuclear staining of cells with apoptotic DNA fragmentation (0–100 μg/mL) with no effects in normal cells (0–200 μg/mL). Selected stone fruit genotypes can be added to the list of fruits with cytotoxic effects against breast cancer cells while not affecting normal cells.