Extracts from sweet potato greens inhibit tumor cell invasion and proliferation in African-American breast cancer cells Free

B110

Chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease affect African Americans disproportionately, particularly in the Black Belt of Alabama. Recent investigations have revealed that diet plays a major role in disease progression. Increasing intake of fruits and vegetables has been correlated with reduced risk of disease. In the African American community, intake of fruits and vegetables indigenous to the population would make for an easier transition to healthy eating habits. In this study, extracts from sweet potato greens were shown to inhibit tumor cell invasion by 25.3% in the African American breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB 468 as determined by a matrigel invasion assay. This study also demonstrated that at a concentration of 0.1mg/ml, the extract of sweet potato greens is capable of inhibiting proliferation in the African-American cell line, MDA-MB-468 as determined by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiozolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cell proliferation assay. Further studies examining the mechanism of this inhibition will be conducted. These data will provide the framework for investigations leading to the development of new dietary regiments within the Black Belt and other communities.