Pomegranates have long been used in traditional folk remedies
to treat sore throats, inflammation, and rheumatism. And recent
scientific research has suggested they are also potentially
effective in both preventing and treating prostate cancer.
One study, conducted on human prostate cancer cells in lab
dishes, at the University of Wisconsin, found that there were
dose dependant improvements. Another study at the same facility
injected mice with human prostate cancer cells. These mice
developed malignancies. Some mice were fed plain water, whilst
two other groups of mice were given water mixed with different
concentrations of pomegranate extract.
Those mice that had water only had tumors that grew much faster
than the pomegranate and water groups. The quantities given to
the mice were comparable to that which people might get if they
drank pomegranate juice on a daily basis. And whilst pomegranate
juice hasn't been tested on humans with prostate cancer yet, the
results are very good.
The study did not indicate what aspects of pomegranate juice were
responsible for slowing down prostate tumour growth. But the
scientists involved did mention the antioxidant polyphenolic
compounds, which are more effective than green tea and red wine.
Pomegranate extract not only inhibited the growth of cancer
cells, it also worked by another means - apoptosis.
Apoptosis refers to a way that cells can die. Cancer growths are
characterized by an uncontrolled growth of cells that do not
follow the normal processes of cellular differentiation of
regular, healthy cells. Cellular differentiation means that the
characteristics of a cell change and get the functions that a
mature, healthy cell would. For example, liver cells have
specialized liver functions, as do prostate, breast, kidney,
and all other types of cells. This is normal and healthy.
In tumour growths, although some cells fully differentiate, many
only differentiate partially, and some not at all. And the tumors
which have more undifferentiated cells grow faster. So, inducing
cellular differentiation is one approach to cancer treatment. The
other two ways that doctors and researchers try to treat cancer
is by causing the death of cancerous cells. They do this through
apoptosis, mentioned above, and necrosis.
In apoptosis, cell death is programmed into the cell when it is
'born'. So the cell dies in a more natural way that is less
destructive on its environment. By this I mean it doesn't cause
inflammation and the damage associated with it to neighboring
cells that may be healthy. Cells die either when they reach
cellular old age or when their death benefits the body as a
whole. Necrosis, on the other hand, does cause inflammation.
Generally, prostate cancer grows very slowly, although it is
unpredictable and can grow quickly and spread.
References:
1. John Boik, Cancer and Natural Medicine (Oregon Medical
Press, 1996)
2. Australian Healthy Food, March, 2006
3. nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=62811
4. nutraingredientsusa.com/news/ng.asp?id=62811
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