Monday, October 19, 2009

Prostate Cancer And Pomegranates

By Jason Myers

Pomegranates have long been used in traditional folk remedies to treat sore throats, inflammation, and rheumatism. And latest scientific research has suggested that they are also possibly responsive in both the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

One study, carried out on human prostate cancer cells in lab dishes, at the University of Wisconsin, revealed that there existed dosage dependant advances. One more study at the same facility took place wherein mice were injected with human prostate cancer cells. Resklts showed that these mice developed malignancies. Some mice were given plain water, while 2 other subject groups of mice were fed with water blended with different concentrations of pomegranate extract.

Those mice subjects that had water only had tumours that grew much faster than the pomegranate and water groups. The quantities accorded to the mice were identical to that which people might get if they consume pomegranate juice each day. And whilst pomegranate juice has yet to be tested on humans with prostate cancer, the results are indeed encouraging.

The study failed to identify what areas of pomegranate juice were responsible for addressing prostate tumour growth. But the scientists concerned did mention the antioxidant polyphenolic compounds, which are more responsive than green tea and red wine.

Pomegranate extract not only inhibited the growth of cancer cells, it also worked by another means - apoptosis.

Apoptosis relates to a way that cells can break down. Cancer growths are characterized by an uncontrolled development of cells without following the the normal procedures of cellular differentiation of regular healthy cells. Cellular differentiation means that the features of a cell change and get the functions that a mature, healthy cell would. For instance, 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 with greater undifferentiated cells develop faster. So, inducing cellular differentiation is one path towards cancer treatment. One more way being tried by doctors and researchers in cancer treatment is thru annihilation of cancerous cells. They perform this through apoptosis, as stated above, and necrosis.

Generally, prostate cancer grows very slowly, though it is unpredictable and can grow and spread quickly.

About the Author: