New research has shown that an extract from grape seeds is capable of destroying leukemia cells by forcing them to commit undergo apotosis, or programmed cells death.
Grape seed extract has previously been shown to be active against a number of different types of cancer cells, including skin, breast, colon, lung, stomach and prostate cancers. However, until this study it had not been tested on hematological cancers and no one had managed to find out exactly how the extract induces cell death.
Professor Xianglin Shi and colleagues at the University of Kentucky exposed leukemia cells to different doses of a commercially available grape seed extract. At higher doses the extract killed 76% of the leukemia cells within just 24 hours. Further investigations revealed that the extract appears to induce apoptosis by activating a pathway called JNK. Studies also showed that the extract does not harm healthy cells, although the researchers do not know why.
“These results could have implications for the incorporation of agents such as grape seed extract into prevention or treatment of hematological malignancies and possibly other cancers,” said Professor Shi. “What everyone seeks is an agent that has an effect on cancer cells but leaves normal cells alone, and this shows that grape seed extract fits into this category.” he said.
Gao N, Budhraja A, Chang S, Yao H, Zhang Z, Shi X. Induction of Apoptosis in Human Leukemia Cells by Grape Seed Extract Occurs via Activation of c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase. Clin Cancer Res. 2009;15:140-149. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-1447
News release: Grape-seed extract kills laboratory leukemia cells, proving value of natural compounds. American Association for Cancer Research. December 31st 2008.
