Grape seed, which kills prostate cancer cells
New research suggests that the compound in grape seed extract is effective in killing prostate cancer cells.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center have studied grape seed extract (GSE) for its anti-cancer properties and consumption over the past 10 years and analyzed the results.
Although the results of the group’s previous research had shown that the extract was effective against cancer cells and how it worked, it was not clear which element of the grape seed extract caused these effects.
The natural composition of grape seed extract is a mixture of polyphenols, but so far there is no knowledge about the bioactive component of grape seed extract (GSE) that affects cancer cells.
In this new study, researchers have discovered that a component of grape seed extract called B2G2 is very active against cancer cells. However, it has been stated that separating this compound from grape seed extract is very costly and takes a long time, which in itself causes other experiences to stop using this process.
To this end, the group decided to synthesize grape seed extract instead of B2G2. The published study details how to synthesize one gram of the compound, which is much faster than obtaining this compound from grape seed extract, and this method is also very expensive.
In the past, the same group had proven anti-cancer activity similar to grape seed extract, but now it is clear that the most active biological component of this compound is B2G2, which can be synthesized in quantities to study the mechanism of death in cancer cells.
As part of the study, the team tested and tested the synthesized compound B2G2 on human prostate cancer cells. The compound has been shown to induce cancer cell death or apoptosis, but it means that humans have come closer to understanding the possible effects and mechanisms of the active components of GSE that are effective against cancer cells.
Separation and synthesis of B2G2 is an important step, as it is now possible to perform more experiments with pure compound.
This study, which is still ongoing in the laboratory, enhances human understanding of the mechanism of action of B2G2 and contributes to future preclinical and clinical trials.
The positive effects of grape compounds against cancer have also been reported in the results of other studies.
Researchers earlier this year reported that resveratrol, a compound found in grape skins, was effective in treating some cancers, and another study found that grape seed extract was beneficial in treating colorectal cancer.
