Suppression of tumor cell growth by anthocyanins in vitro.

Bioflavonoids, extracted from flower petals, were examined for their growth inhibitory effect on cells in culture. They were found to significantly suppress the growth of the cultured cells. Anthocyanins tended to show greater inhibitory effect than other flavonoids. Commercially synthesized or purified aglycones of flavonoids were also studied for their suppression of tumor cells. The anthocyanins were more effective than other flavonoid aglycones, although the aglycones were easily inactivated under the culture conditions.