• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.242-251
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of methanolic extracts from Citrus junos (yuja) seeds and yuja seed oils against HT-29 human colon cancer cells and to identify the key compounds responsible for this effect. Extracts from yuja seeds, yuja seed oil prepared using hexane, and cold-pressed yuja seed oil were prepared using 60% methanol (ES, EHO, and ECO, respectively). The key compounds in the extracts were determined using HPLC-MS. Among the extracts, EHO and ECO inhibited proliferation of HT-29 cells. EHO and ECO were fractionated using preparative LC and the bioactive compounds were determined. Five of the fractions showed a significant anti-proliferative effect and the main compounds in the fractions were isopimpinellin, bergapten, and ichangensin. These compounds showed anti-proliferative effects on HT-29 cells when treated individually, and ichangensin showed the highest anti-proliferative activity. These results suggest that these compounds may be responsible for the anti-cancer effect of EHO and ECO.