Composition of a Chemopreventive Proanthocyanidin-Rich Fraction from Cranberry Fruits Responsible for the Inhibition of 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-Induced Ornithine Decarboxylase (ODC) Activity

Phenolics from the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) were fractionated into a series of proanthocyanidins and other flavonoid compounds by vacuum chromatography on a hydrophilic, porous polyvinylic gel permeation polymer. Antioxidant activity was not restricted to a particular class of components in the extract but was found in a wide range of the fractions. Significant chemopreventive activity, as indicated by an ornithine decarboxylase assay, was localized in one particular proanthocyanidin-rich fraction from the initial fractionation procedure. Further fractionation of the active anticarcinogenic fraction revealed the following components: seven flavonoids, mainly quercetin, myricetin, the corresponding 3-O-glycosides, (−)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, and dimers of both gallocatechin and epigallocatechin types, and a series of oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Keywords: Anticarcinogenic activity; antioxidants; catechin; condensed tannins; cranberry; epicatechin; FRAP assay; ODC assay; proanthocyanidins; Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.