Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties of green broad bean pods (Vicia faba L.)

This study featured broad/fava bean pods as by-products of food production. It assessed the chemical composition of green bean pods (Vicia faba L.) and their methanolic extract. The extract was tested in vitro for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities against prostate cancer (Pc3) and liver cancer (HepG2) cells. Broad bean pods proved to be rich in carbohydrates, fiber, protein, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The extract contained 286 mg GAE/g total phenols and 105 mg QE/g total flavonoids. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The highest DPPH scavenging activity belonged to the extract concentrations of 1000 μg/mL (80.5%) and 500 μg/mL (73.7%), whereas the IC50 value was 87.35 μg/mL. The methanolic extract possessed the anti-inflammatory effect as it significantly reduced the hemolysis of red blood cells. The maximal inhibition percentage reached 66.7% at 1000 μg/mL. Regarding the antimicrobial activity, the broad bean pod methanolic extract inhibited Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as Candida albicans. The extract reduced the cell viability of human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and prostate cancer (PC3) cells in a concentration-dependent manner. It also caused significant changes in cell shape, compared to the control. Therefore, broad beans can be recommended for human consumption together with pods, fresh or cooked, as a potential source of bioactive substances in functional food production.