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. 2016 Apr 30;25(2):623–629. doi: 10.1007/s10068-016-0087-6

Compositional analysis of walnut lipid extracts and properties as an anti-cancer stem cell regulator via suppression of the self-renewal capacity

Jooyeon Chung 1, Yoo-Sun Kim 1, Jisoo Lee 1, Jae Hwan Lee 2, Sang-Woon Choi 3, Yuri Kim 1,✉
PMCID: PMC6049195  PMID: 30263315

Abstract

Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Effects of walnut (Juglans regia L.) lipid extracts (WLEs) on the self-renewal capacity of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colon cancer were investigated. The dominant component of WLEs was α-linoleic acid (64.6%), followed by α-linolenic acid (14.6%), and oleic acid (12.6%). A higher concentration of γ-tocopherol (37.1%) was also present than of α-tocopherol (0.6%). CD133+CD44+CSCs treated with WLEs showed inhibition of colony formation and sphere formation, indicating a decrease in the self-renewal capacity. Treatment with WLEs also resulted in down-regulation of protein levels, including Notch1, phospho-GSK3β (p-GSK3β), and β-catenin, which are associated with CSCs and the self-renewing capacity. WLEs rich in essential fatty acids and γ-tocopherol can exert therapeutic actions on colon cancer via targeting of CSCs.

Keywords: walnut lipid extract, colon cancer, cancer stem cell, self-renewal capacity

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