# Spelt Grass Juice: Phytochemicals and Antiproliferative Activity
## 1 Introduction  
Cultivated since at least 5000 B.C., spelt (_Triticum aestivum_ ssp. _spelta_) is most likely developed by spontaneously crossing older varieties of wheat originating in the Middle East. Nowadays, spelt has earned an increasingly important place in the production of healthy and safe food, especially due to the exceptional benefits of production (the tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses--diseases, drought, and soil nutrient shortage) especially in the organic farming system [1]. In addition, the juice/extract obtained from young spelt grass has beneficial effects on human health as a rich source of some major (potassium and phosphorus) and trace (manganese and chromium) elements, pigments (especially chlorophyll and pheophytin) and phenolics [2, 3]. The antioxidant potential of young spelt grass extract was positively correlated with the total phenolic content [2]. The application of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents helps to diminish the tumor-supportive environment, thereby reducing cancer progression [4]. Spelt is making a comeback in human diets lately, as it is claimed to be even healthier than commercial wheat. Spelt products are recommended for people with gastrointestinal issues, children, and the elderly [2]. While wheatgrass and its juice have been reported to possess antioxidant, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antiallergenic, nephoprotective, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and anticancerproperties [5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13], similar effects of spelt grass extracts remain insufficiently investigated. Spelt grass juice supplementation exerts beneficial effects on the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance and demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties, as evidenced by the changes in hsCRP concentrations [14]. Several studies on malignant cells have demonstrated the antiproliferative potential of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of _Triticum spelta_ against human liver (HepG2) and colorectal (Caco-2) cancer cells, as well as the methanolic extract of _Triticum aestivum_ in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells [3; 5]. Studies employing protein extracts from both ancient and contemporary wheat cultivars showed that immunological responses, as shown by epitope-specific T-cell responses, varied significantly by genotype [15].  
It is well-known that the combination of extracts from natural products with antineoplastic agents can result in enhanced antitumor effects on cancer cell lines [13; 16]. Polyphenols enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents by modulating the resistance mechanisms in cancer cells, particularly those exhibiting a multidrug resistance phenotype. In vitro studies have demonstrated that combining polyphenols with chemotherapeutics can modulate the genes associated with proliferation, induce apoptosis, cause cell cycle arrest, and increase oxidative stress, thereby contributing to more effective tumor suppression [17]. Meanwhile, in vivo studies indicate that the integration of phytochemicals with conventional chemotherapeutic agents may modulate tumor microenvironment dynamics by suppressing angiogenesis, promoting tumor necrosis, and reducing vascular density, though additional clinical validation is required [16].  
This study focuses on the phytochemical composition (photopigments and phenolic compounds) and the antiproliferative activity of aqueous, and methanol- and acetone-water extracts obtained from spelt grass juice, their selectivity towards malignant cells, and the effect of co-treatment with doxorubicin, an antineoplastic drug.