The NCI-N87 Cell Line as a Gastric Epithelial Model to Study Cellular Uptake, Trans-Epithelial Transport, and Gastric Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Anthocyanins

Abstract

Anthocyanins are ubiquitous plant pigments with reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. To better understand these benefits, metabolism of anthocyanins requires further evaluation, especially in the stomach. Mammalian cell cultures provide useful models for investigating compound metabolism and absorption, but they are generally maintained at physiological pH. The NCI-N87 cell line is an acid-stable model of the gastric epithelium used to study gastric drug metabolism. The objective of this work was to investigate the uptake, trans-epithelial transport, and anti-inflammatory activity of anthocyanins by the NCI-N87 cell line. The cells formed a coherent monolayer, stable ≤32 days post confluency. Minimal effects on monolayer integrity were observed when the pH of the apical chamber was adjusted to pH 3.0, 5.0, or 7.4. Anthocyanins were transported across the NCI-N87 cell monolayer at 37 °C, but not at 0 °C, suggesting a facilitated process. Chokeberry anthocyanins (0–1500 μM) were not cytotoxic. At apical pH 3.0, they had anti-inflammatory properties by significantly attenuating IL-8 secretion when added to medium before, during, and after incubation with IL-1β. These results suggest that the NCI-N87 cell line is a physiologically relevant model for in vitro studies of the transport, anti-inflammatory and potential anti-carcinogenic activities of anthocyanins in gastric tissue.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Artemis International for providing the chokeberry juice to conduct this study.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch Project OHO01423, Accession Number 1014136.