Effects of tomato paste extracts on cell proliferation, cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells

Since tomato consumption is associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer, cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis by LNCaP human prostate cancer cells might elucidate action of tomatoes. To discover possible bioactive fractions of tomatoes, whole tomato paste and its water and hexane extract were used and biomarkers of carcinogenesis were measured. After 6, 24 and 48 hr of incubation, cells were harvested and determined cell growth. Tomato paste hexane extract inhibited cell proliferation by 33% compared to the control after 48 hr incubation. Whole tomato paste and its water extract showed only modest growth inhibition. Tomato paste hexane extract at 5 microM lycopene increased G2/M-phase of the cell cycle from 13 to 28% and decreased S-phase cells from 45 to 29%. Apoptosis was observed at the 5 microM hexane extract at the late stages during 24 and 48 hr treatment. Tomato, therefore, deserves study as a potential chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic agent.