Progression of Leukemia Slowed Down by Green Tea
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Louisville : KY : USA | Oct 15, 2010
Leukemia Killing Compounds in Fruits and More
In a recent study done by researchers at the Mayo Clinic and which was also presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, has revealed that an extract in green tea possibly can slow down the advancement of the most general type of leukemia.
This latest study consisted of the involvement of forty-two patients enduring early stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CCL). CCL usually progresses at a slow rate with intervals of remission, patients only receive treatment when the disease is actively spreading. All of the participants in this study were not receiving any treatments including radiation or chemotherapy.
The participants received treatment with an extract of epigallocatechin galeate (EGCG). EGCG is an antioxidant belonging to the Catechin family. Catechin is used to refer to the related family of flavonoids and subgroup flavanols. EGCG had produced a major cell decrease in leukemia cell count in greater than two-thirds of the participants. In almost one-third of the participants, the amount of cancerous cells in the blood had decreased by twenty percent. In addition seventy percent of patients who were enduring enlarged lymph nodes had showed a fifty percent reduction in the size of the nodes.
Even though only a comparative phase three trial can actually determine if EGCG can really delay the progression of CLL. Head writer of the study Tate Shanafelt had stated that the benefits they observed in most of the CLL patients who used the chemical does advocate that there is modest clinical activity and possibly can steady CCL, conceivably by slowing it down.
Past studies also have advocated green tea and its compounds producing the possibilities of aiding the fight of other types of cancers such as bladder, colon, stomach and esophagus. In more current studies it has shown it aide in guarding against tooth decay and help with weight loss.
Blackberries to the fight of leukemia
Dr. Xian-Ming Yin, MD, PhD, associate professor of pathology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and associates have been conducting intensive searchers for targeting treatments for leukemia throughout the world.
In 2007, Dr. Yin and his associates managed to isolate a naturally revised anthocyanidin (a plant pigment having antioxidants and wound healing properties) called C-3-R from black raspberries and examined its effects on human leukemia and lymphoma cell cultures. Researchers discovered that low amounts of C-3-R had effected half of the leukemia cells to die within 18 hours of being treated. When researchers doubled the dose all of the cells had died, the same exact results were seen in lymphoma cells.
Researchers had focused on one of the most common anthocyanidins that are forms of water soluble flavonoids that give color to fruits and vegetables.
Researchers had reported that C-3-R activated an oxidative stress in the tumor cells but not in healthy cells. Dr. Yin states that this reaction indicates that C-3-R is totally selective against cancer cells and provides a very encouraging method for the treatment of an assortment of human leukemia's and may be even lymphoma.
Grape seed extract eliminating leukemia cells
Regardless of the fact if it has been grapes, grape juice or even wine manufactured from grapes it has made its mark on news in the last few years. Grapes have graced the headlines for their possible heart prevention benefits. Now the grapes have advanced in their cause for health once more.
A study which had appeared January 1st 2009, edition of Clinical Cancer Research, an American Association Cancer Research journal, had published the information that announced that the cell signaling pathway that grape seed extract is packed with brings about the death of leukemia cells. The University of Kentucky researchers determined the extract ignites a protein referred to as JNK. JNK is the regulator for the cancer killing pathway.
The studies head writer Dr. Xianglin Shi, PhD., professor in the Graduate Center for Toxicology at the university had remarked in a statement released to the press, that the findings possibly have significance for the inclusion of agents like grape seed extract for prevention or treatment of hematological malignancies and even possibly other types of cancer.
Dr. Shi along with his research team had been studying chemicals called proanthocyanidins in fruits that epidemiological proof indicates may prevent the development of cancer. In other studies Dr. Shi and his team had discovered apple peel extract contains antioxidant-rich flavonoids which causes several lines of cancer cells to be eliminated.
Established on this earlier research along with other studies from scientists revealing grape seed extract decreases breast tumors in rats and skin tumors in mice, the scientists had decided to observe what type of effect the natural components of grape seed extract could possibly have on leukemia cells. Grape seed extract has already proven activity against numerous other types of cancer lines in the lab including skin, breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers, this was the very first time in which it had been tested on hematological cancers.
These types of cancers are listed as the fourth cause of cancer incident and death in the United States by the National Cancer Institute. They consist of uncontrolled growth cells which have alike functioning and origins that include leukemia, lymphomas and myeloma. Leukemia is expressly a cancer of the blood and marrow.
The researchers had subjected leukemia cells to a available commercial grape seed extract in various doses. They discovered higher doses had the greatest noticeable effect in causing the death of cancer cells along with the fact that grape seed extract had not harmed human cells at all.
Dr. Shi stated that grape seed extract is an agent that does produce an effect on cancer cells and leaves human cells alone, which is what everyone is hoping to find.
Strawberries and more kill leukemia cancer cells
Strawberries, blueberries, rosemary and turmeric contain compounds which kill childhood leukemia cancer cells in test tubes.
Research conducted by biologist Susan J. Zunino of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC) in Davis, California, possibly had revealed how strong plant chemicals fight the diseased called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Ms. Zunino's study had built upon her findings concerning the ability of carnosol from rosemary, curcumin from turmeric, resveratrol from grapes and ellagic acid, kaempferol and quercetin from strawberries kill leukemia cells. Her was done by the use of laboratory of both healthy human blood and cancerous ones for her model.
Her studies have not only peaked the interest of cancer researchers but also those of nutrition scientists who are exploring health benefits of natural compounds from the nations numerous fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices
Scientists do not have all detail on how plant chemicals called phytochemicals boost healthy cells and battle dangerous ones.
The investigations Ms. Zunino had done did furnish a few new clues about how phytochemicals attack cancer cells. She had discovered that phytochemicals hamper the organized activity of mitochondria, the tiny energy producing power plants inside cells. Without the energy they simply die.
When mitochondria is susceptible to resveratrol among other phytochemicals that she had tested, it was found that they could not function correctly which results in cancer cell death.
Brazilian berries eliminated cancer cells in laboratory
A Brazilian berry which is popular in health food which contain antioxidants had shown in a study done by University of Florida researchers, that it had destroyed cultured human cancer cells.
The study had demonstrated that extracts from acai berries set off a self destruct action in up to 86% of leukemia cells in which researchers had tested according to assistant professor Stephen Talcott with the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences.
Acai berries are considered one of the highest fruit sources for antioxidants. The study was an essential part to learning what persons may benefit from using beverages, supplements among other products produced from berries.
The study was not designed to show if compounds in the berries could provide leukemia prevention.
Professor Talcott cautions persons that it was only one cell culture and they do not wish to provide any false hope. However, the results were encouraging. The compounds result had shown great activity against cancer cells in a model system and most probably give health benefits to our bodies.
Six different chemical extracts were made from acai fruit pulp and each extract had been prepared in seven different types of concentrations.
Four of the extracts did reveal killing a great number of leukemia cells when applied for twenty-four hours. Contingent on the extract and concentration, there was about 35% to 85% of cancer cells being killed.
Professor Joshua Bomser, assistant professor of molecular nutrition and functional foods at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio states that added consumption of fruits and vegetables which are linked with decreasing risks for a lot of disease which include heart and cancer. Professor Bosmer conducts research on the effects of diet on acute diseases. He suggests consuming a minimum of five servings a day of the fruits and vegetables that are associated to decreased risks for diseases in order to promote maximum health.