Effect of Nutri-Jelly Matrix on Cytotoxicity of Phenethyl Isothiocyanate in Oral Cancer Cells

Abstract

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a phytochemical in cruciferous vegetable which has selective anti-cancer effects. Nutri-PEITC Jelly has been developed for cancer patients with chewing and swallowing difficulties by addition of PEITC into Nutri-jelly. However, it is unclear if Nutri-jelly matrix affects activity of PEITC. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of Nutri-jelly matrix on cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of PEITC against oral cancer cells (CAL-27) by comparison between PEITC in Nutri-Jelly and pure PEITC. The results from MTT assay showed that concentration causing 50% cell viability (IC₅₀) of PEITC in Nutri-Jelly was lower than that of pure PEITC, when exposed for 72 hours. In contrast, after 24 hours incubation cell death analysis using Annexin V- PI showed that PEITC in Nutri-jelly induced less percentage of cell death than that of pure PEITC. Consistently, after 1 hour of exposure PEITC in Nutri-jelly was up taken into the cancer cells less than that of pure PEITC. The findings suggest that Nutri-jelly matrix affect cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of PEITC. Future studies under oral simulated condition are warranted.