Impact of non-thermal plasma seed priming and early development stages of two local Thai Cruciferous plants mustard green and rat-tailed radish on glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, minerals,  antioxidant and anticancer activities

Thipphiya KARIRAT; Worachot SAENGHA; Khanit MATRA; Kannika NAKHOWONG; Pimsupa PATTANU; Piyatida KITKAYUN; Theerayut BUBPAMALA; Benjaporn BURANRAT; Sirirat DEESEENTHUM; Teeraporn KATISART; Vijitra LUANG-IN

doi:10.15835/nbha53114149

Authors

Thipphiya KARIRAT Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Natural Antioxidant Innovation Research Unit, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)
Worachot SAENGHA Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Natural Antioxidant Innovation Research Unit, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)
Khanit MATRA Srinakharinwirot University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Nakhon Nayok 26120 (TH)
Kannika NAKHOWONG Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Natural Antioxidant Innovation Research Unit, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)
Pimsupa PATTANU Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Natural Antioxidant Innovation Research Unit, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)
Piyatida KITKAYUN Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Natural Antioxidant Innovation Research Unit, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)
Theerayut BUBPAMALA Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Natural Antioxidant Innovation Research Unit, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)
Benjaporn BURANRAT Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham 44000 (TH)
Sirirat DEESEENTHUM Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Natural Antioxidant Innovation Research Unit, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)
Teeraporn KATISART Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)
Vijitra LUANG-IN Mahasarakham University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Natural Antioxidant Innovation Research Unit, Maha Sarakham 44150 (TH)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53114149

Keywords:

apoptosis, allyl isothiocyanates, Brassica juncea, 3-butenyl isothiocyanates, Raphanus sativus, raphasatin

Abstract

Over the past decade, non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology has emerged as a promising tool in the food sector. Cruciferous microgreens are known for their anticancer properties, yet the potential of certain varieties at early developmental stages remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of NTP treatment on seed priming and plant development at 14, 21, and 28 days in mustard green (MG) (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern) and rat-tailed radish (RTR) (Raphanus sativus var. caudatus), focusing on their bioactive compounds and bioactivities. NTP treatment significantly affects stem length, fresh weight, or dry weight compared to untreated seeds. It also enhanced the production of glucosinolates, isothiocyanates (ITCs), specific minerals, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and biological activities in both plants. MG was found to contain sinigrin, gluconapin, allyl ITC, and 3-butenyl ITC, while RTR contained glucoraphasatin and raphasatin. MG exhibited IC₅₀ values ranging from 16–78 µg/mL in cytotoxicity tests against four cancer cell lines HeLa, HepG2, MCF-7 and HT-29 with enhanced activity from NTP. RTR demonstrated greater effectiveness with IC₅₀ values of 12–60 µg/mL with higher activity from NTP. Both plant extracts especially NTP-treated samples reduced cancer cell survival and proliferation by upregulating pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, caspase-3, and p21) and proteins while downregulating anti-apoptotic and metastatic markers (Bcl-2, MMP-9, MMP-2, and cyclin D1). NTP can enhance the therapeutic bioactivity of young plants, with both MG and RTR at 14 and 21 days of growth, showing the higher potential for anticancer applications.

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