Grape extract kills cancer cells
- From: E. Nigma <NoReply@xxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:33:21 -0700 (MST)
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An extract from grape seeds can destroy cancer cells, US research
suggests.
In lab experiments, scientists found that the extract stimulated
leukaemia cells to commit suicide.
Within 24 hours, 76% of leukaemia cells exposed to the extract were
killed off, while healthy cells were unharmed, Clinical Cancer
Research reports.
The study raises the possibility of new cancer treatments, but
scientists said it was too early to recommend that people eat grapes
to ward off cancer.
Grape seeds contain a number of antioxidants, including resveratrol,
which is known to have anti-cancer properties, as well as positive
effect on the heart.
Previous research has shown grapeseed extract has an effect on skin,
breast, bowel, lung, stomach and prostate cancer cells in the
laboratory.
It can also reduce the size of breast tumours in rats and skin
tumours in mice.
However, the University of Kentucky study is the first to test its
impact on a blood cancer.
Lead researcher Professor Xianglin Shi said: "These results could
have implications for the incorporation of agents such as grapeseed
extract into prevention or treatment of haematological (blood)
malignancies and possibly other cancers.
"What everyone seeks is an agent that has an effect on cancer cells
but leaves normal cells alone, and this shows that grapeseed extract
fits into this category."
The researchers exposed leukaemia cells to grape extract in a range
of different doses.
Apoptosis
One of the higher doses produced a marked effect, causing large
numbers of the cells to commit suicide in a process known as
apoptosis.
This is a natural method of getting rid of damaged and potentially
dangerous cells.
When the mechanism behind apoptosis breaks down, cancerous cells can
survive and multiply.
The researchers found grapeseed extract activates a protein called
JNK which helps to regulate apoptosis.
When they exposed the leukaemia cells to an agent that inhibits JNK,
the grapeseed extract effect was cancelled out.
Silencing the gene that makes JNK also blocked the extract's ability
to kill cancer cells.
Kat Arney, Cancer Research UK's senior cancer information officer,
warned against jumping to firm conclusions.
She said: "This is yet another story highlighting the potential
cancer-fighting properties of naturally-occurring chemicals.
"Although interesting, it's still a long way from being a treatment
that we can give to patients."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7803619.stm
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E.
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