Apple (Malus domestica) are rich in phytochemicals and major contributor ofdietary phenols and dietary flavonoids. Apples are widely consumed, and their consumptionhas been linked to prevent numerous chronic diseases including coronaryheart disease, asthma, type II diabetes, and cancer (He and Liu 2008; Yang and Liu2009). Recent study in Italy, on apple intake and the risk of different cancers, suggestsan inverse relationship between apple consumption and risk of various cancersincluding breast cancer (Gallus et al. 2005). Another study suggested that extractsof whole apple prevent mammary cancer in a dose-dependent manner in rats (Liu et al. 2005). Further, the antiproliferative activity of triterpenoids, organic acids, andflavonoids isolated from apple peel was investigated (He and Liu 2008). This studyshowed that flavonoids, namely, quercetin and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,isolated from apple peel have potent antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells.The antiproliferative activity of whole apple extract in combination with quercetin3-β-D-glucoside against MCF-7 human breast cancer cell was tested. The resultsshowed that the apple extracts in combination with quercetin 3-β-D-glucoside demonstrateda synergistic effect in MCF-7 cell proliferation (Yang and Liu 2009).Further, in vivo bioactivity of lead anticancer compounds and extracts isolated fromapple and their effects in combination need to be tested.
