Effect of Fermented Wheat Germ Extract with Lactobacillus plantarum dy‑1 on HT-29 Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis

This study aimed to evaluate the anticarcinogenic activities of aqueous extract of fermented wheat germ with Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1 (LFWGE). The anticarcinogenic activities, including antiproliferative effects and the induction of apoptosis, were studied in human HT-29 colon cancer cells. The 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone and total phenol contents in LFWGE were determined by HPLC and the Folin-Ciocalteu method. In addition, some functional proteins were separated and purified by gel filtration chromatography. There were 21 proteins identified by LC-MS/MS. The sugars isolated from LFWGE did not possess any anticarcinogenic activity. The results of an MTT assay showed high antiproliferative effects of LFWGE. In addition, LFWGE attenuated the progression from the G0–G1 to the G2–M phase of the cell cycle, and LFWGE-induced cell apoptosis was associated with the activation of caspase-3. LFWGE and its major bioactive ingredients inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells via apoptosis and thus may be a potential anticarcinogenic agent.