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Health News Archive 105 - Cancer
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Anti-Tumor Effect of Cranberry
Women have long appreciated the medicinal powers of cranberry—the small
bitter fruit is often advised for use during a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Those who have used this small, bitter berry to reduce the pain and
inflammation of a bladder infection won’t be surprised to learn of a new
research study which sheds a startling new light on a holiday classic.
In a study led by Catherine Neto at the University of
Massachusetts-Dartmouth, published in the Journal of the Science of Food
and Agriculture last month, an active ingredient in cranberries inhibited
the growth of tumor cells. Proanthocyanidins are an anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant ingredient in cranberries that a series of scientific studies,
including those conducted by Neto, have been honing in on.
The recent laboratory tests demonstrated that cranberry proanthocyanidins
inhibited the growth of lung tumors. Impressively, although cranberry
extract fractions brought about “significant inhibition of the
proliferation of cancer cells,” healthy cells weren’t affected—a promising
step in anti-cancer research.
Human cancer cell growth has been slowed down in lab tests previously.
This latest test specifies proanthocyanidins as the specific chemical
components of cranberries which reduce the spread of cancer tumors. While
other berries besides cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, no other
fruit’s chemical structure has been found to work in quite the same way.
Neto’s most recent study suggests that there may be even more to
cranberry’s medicinal powers. Complementing proanthocyanidins, quercetin
and ursolic acid are two additional antioxidant compounds in cranberries.
Both chemical compounds have been featured in scientific studies to
determine the degree of their cancer-deterring components.
The October study wasn’t the first demonstrating cranberries’ healing,
antioxidant properties. A 1993 study, also by Neto, found the miniscule,
deep red fruit to be linked to radically reduced brain cell damage after a
stroke. Scientists know that the berry’s power in treating UTI’s comes
from its antibacterial, anti-adhesion qualities, but research hints that
there’s much more to be learned about the healing power of this tangy,
tasty fruit. In the laboratory tests, tumor growth was slowed by both
cranberry extract and proanthocyanidins fractions. However, the tumors
were more greatly inhibited by the cranberry extract.
Neto said she believes that eating cranberries or taking cranberry
supplements can have potential for benefit. Meanwhile, she urges the
addition of more animal studies.
Source: MALDI-TOF MS characterization of proanthocyanidins from cranberry
fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon) that inhibit tumor cell growth and matrix
metalloproteinase expression in vitro
Catherine C Neto, Christian G Krueger, Toni L Lamoureaux, Miwako Kondo,
Abraham J Vaisberg, Robert AR Hurta, Shannon Curtis, Michael D Matchett,
Horace Yeung, Marva I Sweeney, Jess D Reed
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Forthcoming Articles Pages n/a
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