Study Shows Flavanoids In Black Raspberries Wipe Out Leukemia Cancer Cells

admin — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:50:15 +0000

According to a new study published online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a naturally occurring antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables can selectively wipe out leukemia cells without harming healthy cells. These findings offer hope of treating leukemia effectively without being toxic. The findings promise an effective, nontoxic approach to treating leukemia.

Corresponding author Xiao-Ming Yin, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine stated the following:

“Current treatments for leukemia, such as chemotherapy and radiation, often damage healthy cells and tissues and can produce unwanted side effects for many years afterward. So, there is an intensive search for more targeted therapies for leukemia worldwide.”

Yin and his team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh isolated and examined the effects of cyanidin-3-rutinoside or C-3-R – which is a naturally modified anthocyanidin from black raspberries – on human leukemia and lymphoma cell cultures. Findings by the researchers show that about half of the human leukemia cells died within 18 hours of treatment with low doses of C-3-R. More than doubling the dosage resulted in all of the leukemia cells dying with the same effect on lymphoma cells.

Most of the focus by Yin and his team was on one of the most common forms of water-soluble flavonoids that give fruits and vegetables their color known as anthocyanidins. These flavanoids are also thought to assist in the attraction of honeybees to plants. The benefits of anthocyanidins in previous studies were noted by the authors.

According to the researchers, C-3-R induced an “oxidative stress” in tumor cells but not in healthy cells. Yin claims these results indicate that C-3-R is highly selective against cancer cells and offers “a very promising approach for treating a variety of human leukemias and, perhaps, lymphomas as well.”

Leukemia and lymphoma are both two types of cancer. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society states that more than 66,000 new cases of lymphoma were diagnosed in 2006. Statistics reported by the National Cancer Institute indicate an estimated 44,000 cases of leukemia to be diagnosed in the United States in 2007 and some 22,000 leukemia related deaths will occur in 2007.

Frank Mangano’s commentary:

What we have here folks is just another reason to stick with superfoods like berries and vegetables to avoid toxic treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. As always, the best cure is a good defense. Avoiding processed foods, transfats and other harmful substances will reduce your risk of being part of the grim statistics reported.

Black Raspberries Shown To Shield Against Cancer, Study Finds

admin — Sun, 13 May 2007 16:26:36 +0000

According to new a new study conducted by Ohio State University researchers that was presented at the March 2007 national meeting of the American Chemical Society, black raspberries may be a good choice in preventing the development of tumors in the esophagus and colon.

The study, which was led by Gary Stoner, Ph.D., a professor of internal medicine at Ohio State University, involved a powdered, freeze-dried extract from black raspberries that was given to rats that had been exposed to a cancer-causing substance to measure the effect it had them. When compared to a control group, the rats that were fed black raspberry extract showed a 60 percent reduction in tumors of the esophagus. A reduction in colon tumors up to 80 percent was also visible.

“That’s a much higher reduction than I thought we’d see,” Stoner said, “This suggests that berries bind up a good portion of free radicals, preventing them from causing damage in the body.”

Vitamins A, C, E, folic acid and the minerals selenium, zinc, and calcium can all be found in black raspberries. Aside from that, a higher content of anthocyanins can be found in black rasberries when compared to other berries. The same is true of phenols, such as ellagic, coumaric and ferulic acid. According to Stoner all of these substances are recognized as “chemopreventive agents”.

“We do know from epidemiologic studies that vegetable and fruit consumption is protective against cancer and, from our work, we would suggest that berries be one of those helpings, at least two or three times a week,” said Stoner.

There are current clinical trials being held to examine the effectiveness of black raspberries on preventing esophageal and colon cancer in humans. The first test involves Stoner and his team analyzing the effects of the fruit in people with Barrett’s esophagus (a condition known as a precursor to esophageal cancer) and precancerous colon polyps. Preliminary results indicate the berries are well tolerated at doses similar to those used in animals.

Frank Mangano’s commentary:

Aside from tasting great, black raspberries are jam packed with anthocyanins. These chemicals not only give some fruits their deep, purple color but they are also believed to be one of the active ingredients that can help prevent or slow the growth of some forms of cancer. Many fruits contain anthocyanins including blackberries, blueberries, elderberries, raisins and plums, but black raspberries are by far the best choice for abundance.

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Study Shows Flavanoids In Black Raspberries Wipe Out Leukemia Cancer Cells

Black Raspberries Shown To Shield Against Cancer, Study Finds