Potential Avenues for Cancer Treatment Discovered in Berry Pigment

By Sondra Forsyth

Berries have long been touted as “superfoods”. Now a study done at the University of Eastern Finland and the National Institute on Aging in the US has shown that naturally occurring pigments in berries called anthocyanins affect the function of the sirtuin 6 enzyme in cancer cells. The researchers maintain that the regulation of this enzyme could open up new avenues for cancer treatment. Their findings were published in April 2018 in Scientific Reports.

A release from the university explains that sirtuins are enzymes regulating the expression of genes that control the function of cells through key cellular signaling pathways. Aging causes changes in sirtuin function, and these changes contribute to the development of various diseases. Sirtuin 6, or SIRT6 for short, is a less well-known enzyme that is also linked to glucose metabolism.

Berries get their red, blue or purple color from anthocyanins.

The release quotes lead author Minna Rahnasto-Rilla, Doctor of Pharmacy, as saying. “The most interesting results of our study relate to cyanidin, which is an anthocyanin found abundantly in wild bilberry, blackcurrant and lingonberry.”

Cyanidin increased SIRT6 enzyme levels in human colorectal cancer cells, and it was also discovered to decrease the expression of the Twist1 and GLUT1 cancer genes, while increasing the expression of the tumor suppressor FoXO3 gene in cells.

The researchers designed a computer-based model that allowed them to predict how different flavonoid compounds in plants can regulate the SIRT6 enzyme.

The findings indicate that anthocyanins increase the activation of SIRT6, which may play a role in cancer pathogenesis. The study also lays a foundation for the development of new drugs that regulate SIRT6 function.

Working at the School of Pharmacy of the University of Eastern Finland, the Sirtuin Research Group studies whether anthocyanins found in berries could activate SIRT6 function and, consequently, reduce the expression of cancer genes and cancer cell growth. The group also develops new compounds targeting the epigenetic regulation of gene function.

The study was funded by the Academy of Finland, the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the US National Institute of Health.