Antiproliferative Activity of Polygonaceae Species from the Carpathian Basin against Human Cancer Cell Lines

Aqueous and organic extracts of 27 selected species from five genera (Fallopia, Oxyria, Persicaria, Polygonum and Rumex) of the family Polygonaceae occurring in the Carpathian Basin were screened in vitro for antiproliferative activity against HeLa (cervix epithelial adenocarcinoma), A431 (skin epidermoid carcinoma) and MCF7 (breast epithelial adenocarcinoma) cells, using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. A total of 196 n‐hexane, chloroform, 50% methanol or water extracts of different plant parts were investigated. It was found that extracts of Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Rumex alpinus, Rumex aquaticus, Rumex scutatus and Rumex thyrsiflorus at 10 or 30 µg/mL demonstrated substantial cell growth inhibitory activity (at least 50% inhibition of cell proliferation) against one or more cell lines. R. acetosa and R. thyrsiflorus proved to be the most active and are considered worthy of activity‐guided phytochemical investigations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antiproliferative activity of Hungarian Asteraceae species against human cancer cell lines. Part I

Aqueous and organic extracts of 25 selected species from four tribes of Hungarian Asteraceae were screened in vitro for antiproliferative activity against HeLa (cervix epithelial adenocarcinoma), A431 (skin epidermoid carcinoma) and MCF7 (breast epithelial adenocarcinoma) cells, using the MTT assay. Twenty five of the 228 tested extracts from different parts of the species of Astereae (6), Inuleae (3), Heliantheae (5) and Anthemideae (11) demonstrated a substantial antiproliferative effect (at least 50% inhibition of cell proliferation) at 10 microg/mL against one or more of the cell lines. Complete dose-response curves were generated and IC(50) values were calculated for these active extracts, and their direct cytotoxic effects were determined. In summary, 11 of the tested 25 plants were found to be active and 4 of them (Anthemis ruthenica, Erigeron canadensis, Erigeron annuus and Inula ensifolia) had not been studied previously for either active compounds or anticancer properties.     

Antiproliferative effect of flavonoids and sesquiterpenoids from Achillea millefolium s.l. on cultured human tumour cell lines

The antiproliferative activities of n‐hexane, chloroform, aqueous‐methanol and aqueous extracts of the aerial parts of the Achillea millefolium aggregate on three human tumour cell lines were investigated by means of MTT assays. The chloroform‐soluble extract exerted high tumour cell proliferation inhibitory activities on HeLa and MCF‐7 cells, and a moderate effect on A431 cells; accordingly, it was subjected to detailed bioactivity‐guided fractionation. As a result of the multistep chromatographic purifications (VLC, CPC, PLC, gel filtration), five flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, centaureidin, casticin and artemetin) and five sesquiterpenoids (paulitin, isopaulitin, psilostachyin C, desacetylmatricarin and sintenin) were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods. The antiproliferative assay demonstrated that centaureidin is the most effective constituent of the aerial parts of yarrow: high cell growth inhibitory activities were observed especially on HeLa (IC₅₀ 0.0819 µm ) and MCF‐7 (IC₅₀ 0.1250 µm ) cells. Casticin and paulitin were also highly effective against all three tumour cell lines (IC₅₀ 1.286–4.76 µm ), while apigenin, luteolin and isopaulitin proved to be moderately active (IC₅₀ 6.95–32.88 µm ). Artemetin, psilostachyin C, desacetylmatricarin and sintenin did not display antiproliferative effects against these cell lines. This is the first report on the occurrence of seco‐pseudoguaianolides (paulitin, isopaulitin and psilostachyin C) in the Achillea genus. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Screening of some Tanzanian medicinal plants for their trypanocidal and cytotoxic activities

The objective of the present study was to evaluate in vitro antitrypanosomal and cytotoxic activities of crude extracts of 20 traditionally used medicinal plants of Tanzania. A total of 40 extracts (dichloromethane and methanol) were screened for antiproliferative activity of bloodstream form of T. b. brucei and human leukaemia HL‐60 cell. Inhibition of cell proliferation was assessed using resazurin as vital stain. Of the 40 extracts tested, the dichloromethane extract from bark of Warburgia salutaris (Canellaceae) exhibited the most potent antitrypanosomal activity with an IC₅₀ value of 10.68 μg/ml. A dichloromethane extract from Lannea stuhlmannii (Anacardiaceae) was found to be the most cytotoxic extract against HL‐60 (IC₅₀ = 27.15 μg/ml). Out of the 20 plants tested, 5 plants exhibited trypanocidal activity with IC₅₀ values below 20 μg/ml. These 5 plants: Entandrophragma bussei (Meliaceae), Securidaca longepedunculata (Polygalaceae), Warburgia salutaris (Canellaceae), Zanha africana (Sapindaceae) and Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Rutaceae) could therefore serve as sources of lead compounds for treatment of trypanosomiasis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of maple (Acer) plant part extracts on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of human tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic colon cells

Phenolic‐enriched extracts of maple sap and syrup, obtained from the sugar and red maple species (Acer saccharum Marsh, A. rubrum L., respectively), are reported to show anticancer effects. Despite traditional medicinal uses of various other parts of these plants by Native Americans, they have not been investigated for anticancer activity. Here leaves, stems/twigs, barks and sapwoods of both maple species were evaluated for antiproliferative effects against human colon tumorigenic (HCT‐116, HT‐29, Caco‐2) and non‐tumorigenic (CCD‐18Co) cells. Extracts were standardized to total phenolic and ginnalin‐A (isolated in our laboratory) levels. Overall, the extracts inhibited the growth of the colon cancer more than normal cells (over two‐fold), their activities increased with their ginnalin‐A levels, with red > sugar maple extracts. The red maple leaf extract, which contained the highest ginnalin‐A content, was the most active extract (IC₅₀ = 35 and 16 µg/mL for extract and ginnalin‐A, respectively). The extracts were not cytotoxic nor did they induce apoptosis of the colon cancer cells. However, cell cycle analyses revealed that the antiproliferative effects of the extracts were mediated through cell cycle arrest in the S‐phase. The results from the current study suggest that these maple plant part extracts may have potential anticolon cancer effects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activity of phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum erectum thunb

The chloroform extracts of whole plants of Hypericum erectum were investigated for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine‐sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Five phloroglucinol derivatives, otogirin (1), otogirone (2), erectquione A (3), erectquione B (4), and erectquione C (5) were isolated from the whole plants of H. erectum. Also, five compounds were evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activities as well as their cytotoxic potential on SK‐OV‐3 cancer cell line cells. Compounds 2, 4 showed notable growth inhibitory activity against chloroquine‐sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ values from 5.6 and 7.2 μM. This compound showed no significant cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ > 150 μM) evaluated using SK‐OV‐3 cancer cell line cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

药用植物中乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性和抗氧化活性的筛选

目的:对24种药用植物醇提物的乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性和抗氧化活性进行筛选研究。方法:70%乙醇回流提取植物粗提物;目标粗提物采用氯仿、乙酸乙酯、正丁醇依次萃取,得到氯仿、乙酸乙酯、正丁醇和水部位;乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性测定采用改良的Ellman法和薄层色谱(TLC)生物自显影法相结合的方法;抗氧化活性采用清除DPPH自由基能力进行评价。结果:结合改良Ellman法和TLC生物自显影法对24种植物的醇提物的抗乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性进行评价,结果表明红毛七、金不换、飞龙掌血、白花映山红和八角枫5种植物粗提物具有显著的抑制活性,在终浓度为1 g.L-1时,其抑制率分别为(88.72±1.47)%,(82.25±1.32)%,(77.71±1.61)%,(77.00±1.38)%,(75.22±1.28)%,其清除DPPH自由基IC50分别为153.75,74.95,50.00,10.87,24.40 mg.L-1。在这5种植物粗提物不同萃取部位中,红毛七和金不换氯仿部位对乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性最强,其IC50为33.97,38.79 mg.L-1,其清除DPPH自由基的IC50为302.95,79.45 mg.L-1。结论:金不换和红毛七粗提物氯仿部位具有较强的乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性和抗氧化活性,可进行进一步的追踪分离研究。     

The Amoebicidal Effect of Ergosterol Peroxide Isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus

Dysentery is an inflammation of the intestine caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica and is a recurrent health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Because of the magnitude of this disease, finding novel strategies for treatment that does not affect human cells is necessary. Ergosterol peroxide is a sterol particularly known as a major cytotoxic agent with a wide spectrum of biological activities produced by edible and medicinal mushrooms. The aim of this report is to evaluate the amoebicidal activity of ergosterol peroxide (5α, 8α‐epidioxy‐22E‐ergosta‐6,22‐dien‐3β‐ol isolated from 5α, 8α‐epidioxy‐22E‐ergosta‐6,22‐dien‐3β‐ol) (Jacq.) P. Kumm. f. sp. Florida. Our results show that ergosterol peroxide produced a strong cytotoxic effect against amoebic growth. The inhibitory concentration IC₅₀ of ergosterol peroxide was evaluated. The interaction between E. histolytica and ergosterol peroxide in vitro resulted in strong amoebicidal activity (IC₅₀ = 4.23 nM) that may be due to the oxidatory effect on the parasitic membrane. We also tested selective toxicity of ergosterol peroxide using a cell line CCL‐241, a human epithelial cell line isolated from normal human fetal intestinal tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the cytotoxicity of ergosterol peroxide against E. histolytica, which uncovers a new biological property of the lipidic compound isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. f. sp. Florida. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vitro antiproliferative effect of six Salvia species on human tumor cell lines

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antiproliferative activity of the methanol crude extracts of six Salvia species: Salvia dominica L. leaves, Salvia lanigera Desf. aerial parts, Salvia menthaefolia Ten. roots, Salvia palaestina Benth. aerial parts, Salvia sclarea L. roots and Salvia spinosa L. aerial parts. Extracts were screened for their possible antitumoral activity by MTT test on nine human cancer cell lines: glioblastoma (DBTRG-05MG, T98G, U-87MG), colorectal adenocarcinoma (WiDr and HT-29), prostate adenocarcinoma (MDA Pca2b), choriocarcinoma (JEG-3), endometrium adenocarcinoma (HEC-1A) and B lymphoblast (CIR). IC(50) values were determined for only five extracts and ranged from 90 to 400 microg/mL approximately. Salvia menthaefolia extract exhibited marked antiproliferative activity against all tumor cell lines showing lower IC(50) values, while S. spinosa, S. sclarea and S. dominica extracts showed a degree cytotoxic activity dependent on the cell line type. Finally S. palaestina extract revealed a moderate antiproliferative effect only against three cell lines. Salvia lanigera extract displayed toxic activity at all concentrations tested. The results strengthen the evidence that the genus Salvia could be considered a natural resource of potential antitumor agents.     

10种盐生植物对血管紧张肽Ⅰ-转化酶活性的影响

 目的 对新疆10种盐生植物提取物对血管紧张肽Ⅰ-转化酶（ACE）的抑制活性进行研究。方法 通过HPLC测定马尿酸含量的变化从而推测ACE抑制活性。结果 10种盐生植物的体积分数70%乙醇提取物中，以白刺、苦豆子、芦苇的ACE抑制活性较高，IC₅₀值分别为69.36 ，52.61，56.20 g·L-1；水提取物中，以西伯利亚泡泡刺、琵琶柴、苦豆子、芦苇的ACE抑制活性较高，IC₅₀值分别为55.85，63.87，40.92，10.12 g·L-1。结论 10种盐生植物中部分植物提取物具有一定的抑制ACE活性。     

In vitro and in vivo antiproliferative activity of laherradurin and cherimolin‐2 of annona diversifolia saff

Acetogenins from Annonaceae (ACG) are potent inhibitors of the mitochondrial complex I, they present cytotoxic activity on neoplasic lines, including those with multiresistance to drugs. In vivo antitumor activities of some ACG have been reported; however, no information is available regarding the relationship between their cytotoxic activity in cell cultures and their antiproliferative action in vivo. Laherradurin and cherimolin‐2 acetogenins were isolated from Annona diversifolia seeds, and their inhibitory potential was analysed in vitro on HeLa and SW‐480 cells. Doses containing 1, 10, 100 and 500 times the IC₅₀ obtained from the proliferation assays and multiplied by the weight of the animal, were injected once daily into athymic mice bearing these cancer cell lines; their effect upon tumor growth was measured over a period of 20 days. Laherradurin was more active than cherimolin‐2, and it showed in in vitro proliferation assays a similar IC₅₀ in both neoplasic lines. In athymic mice, laherradurin administered in 10×, 100× and 500× doses, reduced the size of HeLa tumors, and with 100× and 500× doses, affected the SW‐480 tumor development. These doses were similar to results found with the control drug doxorubicin (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, cherimolin‐2 had an effect on HeLa tumors cells at 100× and 500× doses (p ≤ 0.05). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Extracts Prepared from Polygonaceae Species

The xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity of aqueous and organic extracts of 27 selected species belonging in five genera (Fallopia, Oxyria, Persicaria, Polygonum and Rumex) of the family Polygonaceae occurring in the Carpathian Basin were tested in vitro. From different plant parts (aerial parts, leaves, flowers, fruits and roots), a total of 196 extracts were prepared by subsequent extraction with methanol and hot H₂O and solvent–solvent partition of the MeOH extract yielding n‐hexane, chloroform and 50% MeOH subextracts. It was found that the chloroform subextracts and/or the remaining 50% MeOH extracts of Fallopia species (F. bohemica, F. japonica and F. sachalinensis), Rumex species (R. acetosa, R. acetosella, R. alpinus, R. conglomeratus, R. crispus, R. hydrolapathus, R. pulcher, R. stenophyllus, R. thyrsiflorus, R. obtusifolius subsp. subalpinus, R. patientia) and Polygonum bistorta, Polygonum hydropiper, Polygonum lapathifolium and Polygonum viviparum demonstrated the highest XO inhibitory activity (>85% inhibition) at 400 µg/mL. The IC₅₀ values of the active extracts were also determined. On the basis of the results, these plants, and especially P. hydropiper and R. acetosella, are considered worthy of activity‐guided phytochemical investigations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vitro anti‐adhesive activity of green tea extract against pathogen adhesion

Camellia sinensis polysaccharide has been reported to possess anti‐adhesive activity against pathogens. The present study was designed to investigate whether hot water extracts obtained from green tea leaves might inhibit pathogen adhesion to human or mouse cell lines. Green tea extract‐4 (CSI‐4) with the maximum yield of 4% (w/v) is composed of a major proportion of carbohydrates containing 40% uronic acids, but lack of catechins. It showed strong inhibitory activities against hemagglutination mediated by pathogens Helicobacter pylori, Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus with the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.01‐0.5 mg/mL. CSI‐4 further demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the adhesion of these pathogens to host cell lines with the IC₅₀ values (50% inhibition of adhesion) of 0.14–2.3 mg/mL. It exhibited the highest activity against P. acnes, but no inhibitory effects were observed against Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus epidermidis. Our results suggest that CSI‐4 may exert a selective anti‐adhesive effect against certain pathogenic bacteria with no adverse effects against beneficial or commensal bacteria. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Hungarian Wild‐Growing Mushrooms

Mushrooms represent a remarkable and yet largely unexplored source of new, biologically active natural products. In this work, we report on the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity of 47 wild‐growing mushrooms native to Hungary. Aqueous and organic (n‐hexane, chloroform, and 50% methanol) extracts of selected mushrooms from different families were screened for their XO inhibitory activities. Among the 188 extracts investigated, the chloroform and 50% methanol fractions proved to be the most effective. Some species exhibited high inhibitory activity, e.g., Hypholoma fasciculare (IC₅₀ = 67.76 ± 11.05 µg/mL), Suillus grevillei (IC₅₀ = 13.28 ± 1.58 µg/mL), and Tricholoma populinum (IC₅₀ = 85.08 ± 15.02 µg/mL); others demonstrated moderate or weak activity. Additional studies are warranted to characterize the compounds responsible for the XO inhibitory activity of mushroom extracts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anticomplement activity of polyacetylenes from leaves of Dendropanax morbifera Leveille

The present study evaluated the anticomplement effect of polyacetylenes from Dendropanax morbifera (Araliaceae) in the classical pathway complement system. The leaves of D. morbifera were evaluated with regard to its anticomplement activity, and its active principles identified following activity‐guided isolation. An aqueous CCl₄ fraction of the leaves of D. morbifera exhibited significant anticomplement activity on the classical pathway complement system, which was expressed as total hemolytic activity. Three polyacetylenes isolated from the leaves of D. morbifera, namely (3S)‐falcarinol (1), (3S,8S)‐falcarindiol (2) and (3S)‐diynene (3). Compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed inhibitory activity against complement system with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) values of 87.3 µm , 15.2 µm and 39.8 µm . Among the compounds tested, 2 showed the most potent anticomplement activity (IC₅₀, 15.2 µm ). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antiproliferative effect of benzophenones and their influence on cathepsin activity

The antiproliferative activity of two prenylated benzophenones isolated from Rheedia brasiliensis, the triprenylated garciniaphenone and the tetraprenylated benzophenone 7‐epiclusianone, was investigated against human cancer cell lines. The antiproliferative activity on melanoma (UACC‐62), breast (MCF‐7), drug‐resistant breast (NCI‐ADR), lung/non‐small cells (NCI460), ovarian (OVCAR 03), prostate (PC03), kidney (786‐0), lung (NCI‐460) and tongue (CRL‐1624 and CRL‐1623) cancer cells was determined using spectrophotometric quantification of the cellular protein content. The effect of these benzophenones on the activity of cathepsins B and G was also investigated. Garciniaphenone displayed cytostatic activity in all cell lines, whereas 7‐epiclusianone showed a dose‐dependent cytotoxic effect. The IC₅₀ values for cell proliferation revealed that 7‐epiclusianone is more active than garciniaphenone against most of the cell lines. Furthermore, the antiproliferative effects demonstrated by garciniaphenone and 7‐epiclusianone were related to their cathepsin inhibiting properties. In conclusion, 7‐epiclusianone is a promising naturally occurring agent which displays multiple inhibitory effects which may be working in concert to inhibit cancer cell proliferation in vitro. The putative pathway by which 7‐epiclusianone affects cancer cell development may involve cathepsin inhibition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Taxodione and Extracts from Salvia austriaca Roots as Human Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Taxodione, an abietane diterpenoid, was isolated from Salvia austriaca transformed roots grown in in vitro conditions. The compound is known to have antibacterial, cytotoxic and anti‐tumour properties. This study evaluates the ability of pure taxodione and extracts obtained from the S. austriaca hairy roots and roots from field‐grown plants to inhibit human acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Both extracts were found to have similar actions against acetylcholinesterase. The IC₅₀ for extracts from transformed and untransformed roots were 142.5 and 139.5 µg ml^?1, respectively. The highest activity towards human acetylcholinesterase was demonstrated by taxodione (IC₅₀ = 54.84 µg ml^?1). With respect to BChE inhibition, the root extracts demonstrated stronger activity (IC₅₀ = 23.6 µg ml^?1: field‐grown plants and 41.6 µg ml^?1: transformed roots) than taxodione (IC₅₀ = 195.9 µg ml^?1). Taxodione showed significant cytotoxicity against A549 cell line (IC₅₀ = 9.1 µg ml^?1), whereas the activities for the extracts from S. austriaca roots of field‐grown plants (IC₅₀ = 75.7 µg ml^?1) and hairy roots (IC₅₀ = 86.2 µg ml^?1) were lower. Computer modelling suggests that taxodione should not demonstrate cardiotoxic or genotoxic activity. It also indicates that taxodione should demonstrate very rapid transport from the body with very good blood–brain barrier penetration, but with no cumulative effect on the human body. The obtained results indicate that taxodione is a safe compound and may be used for further investigations in pharmacological activities. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase inhibitory activities of mansorins and mansonones

Cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activities of three coumarins (mansorins A–C) and five naphthoquinones (mansonone C, E, G and H) were evaluated to determine the relationships between the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory effects and the core structures of these compounds. Among the tested compounds, mansonone E exhibited the highest ChE inhibitory activities, with IC₅₀ values in the low micromolar levels. In addition to revealing the ChE inhibitory activities of naphthoquinones for the first time, the results also revealed structure–activity relationship information that could be useful for further modification. Furthermore, the study also supports the hypothesis that mansonones are the active component in Thespesia populnea, a plant that previously has been shown to enhance memory activity in an in vivo study. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytotoxic Activity and Antioxidant Capacity of Purified Lichen Metabolites: An In Vitro Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of six lichen metabolites (diffractaic acid, lobaric acid, usnic acid, vicanicin, variolaric acid, protolichesterinic acid) on proliferation, viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level towards three human cancer cell lines, MCF‐7 (breast adenocarcinoma), HeLa (cervix adenocarcinoma) and HCT‐116 (colon carcinoma). Cells were treated with different concentrations (2.5–100 μM) of these compounds for 48 h. In this comparative study, our lichen metabolites showed various cytotoxic effects in a concentration‐dependent manner, and usnic acid was the most potent cytotoxic agent, while variolaric acid did not inhibit the proliferation of any of the three cell lines used. All tested lichen compounds did not exhibit free radical scavenging activity using the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The lichen metabolites did not significantly increase the intracellular ROS level and did not prevent oxidative injury induced by t‐butylhydroperoxide in HeLa cells. To better clarify the mechanism(s) of cytotoxic effect induced by protolichesterinic acid in HeLa cells, we investigated apoptotic markers such as condensation and fragmentation of nuclear chromatin and activation of caspase‐3, 8 and 9. Our results revealed that the antiproliferative activity of 40 μM protolichesterinic acid in HeLa cells is related to its ability to induce programmed cell death involving caspase‐3, 8 and 9 activation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acetonic Extract from the Feijoa sellowiana Berg. Fruit Exerts Antioxidant Properties and Modulates Disaccharidases Activities in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Feijoa sellowiana fruit has been shown to possess various biological activities, such as anti‐bacterial and anti‐cancer properties, in a variety of cellular models, but its activity on human intestinal epithelial cells has never been tested. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the acetonic extract of F. sellowiana fruits on the viability, membrane peroxidation, disaccharidases activities and proliferation of in vitro models of human intestinal epithelial cells. To obtain this goal, Caco‐2 and HT‐29 cells were exposed to the acetonic extract for 24 h. Cell proliferation, viability, lactase and sucrase‐isomaltase activity and H₂O₂‐induced membrane lipid peroxidation were tested. We found that, compared to control conditions, the acetonic extract significantly increased lactase and sucrase‐isomaltase activity in Caco‐2, but not HT‐29, cells, decreased proliferation, had no effects on viability and restored lipid peroxidation in both cell models. This study suggests that the acetonic extract improves lactase and sucrase‐isomaltase activity, inhibits cell proliferation, have no cytotoxic effects and prevent lipid peroxidation of intestinal epithelial cells. These effects may be exploited in case of disaccharidases deficit and also as an adjuvant treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.