Bioaccessible compounds generated during human colonic fermentation of Myrtillocactus geometrizans exert anticancer effects in colon cancer cells

Berry cactus (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) is a fruit from a Mexican-origin cactus species rich in health-promoting bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols and dietary fiber. This study aimed to evaluate the chemopreventive effects of digested and fermented vi berry cactus fruits (FE-NDFG) and the anticancer effects of their digestive metabolites on two human colon cancer cell lines and their selectivity toward normal colonocytes. FE-NDFG decreased human SW480 and HT-29 colon cancer cells' metabolic activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50: 15% v/v for SW480; 26% v/v for HT-29). In SW480 cells, flow cytometry revealed G2/M cell cycle arrest and a combined effect of early and late apoptosis (44%), and moderate necrosis (17%) compared to untreated cells. Protein analysis confirmed the presence of a combined intrinsic and extrinsic pro-apoptotic mechanism. Importantly, FE-NDFG at both IC50 concentrations did not significantly reduce the metabolic activity of normal CCD841 colonocytes, demonstrating tumor-selective cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that digestive metabolites induced the death of colon cancer cells through collective mechanisms, suggesting potential chemopreventive effects from berry cactus digestion.