Anticancer metabolistes from California walnuts (Juglans sp.)

Walnuts are known to be a rich source of polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids. Previous studies have indicated that walnut extracts contain substances that have anticancer properties. In our study, we prepared extracts of California walnuts (Juglans sp.), and tested them for activity against the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB 231. The cells were treated with walnut extracts and chromatographic fractions and counted for percent viability using Trypan blue staining. The crude walnut extract was partitioned with hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol; these fractions showed 87.6%, 3.9%, and 3.7% cell viability, respectively. Of these, the strongest activity was found in the ethyl acetate fraction (based on material recovered). This fraction was further purified using Sephadex LH20 chromatography and subjected to bioassay followed by LCMS analysis. Thus far, among the compounds identified are quercetin, catechin, and epi-cathechin, all of which have been previously reported from walnuts. Current progress to isolate and identify quantities of the anticancer metabolite(s) is in progress and current status will be reported.