Purple
grape juice inhibits breast cancer cell growth in rats and in cell
cultures
Consumption of purple grape juice by female rats led to significant
reductions in both mammary tumor mass and the number of tumors per
animal, according to a study presented at the International Scientific
Conference on Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medical Research,
cosponsored by Harvard Medical School. The researchers also found
that grape color extract inhibited mitosis of rat breast cancer cells
in related cell culture tests.
"These studies indicate
that components in Concord grape juice can inhibit the growth of
certain types of breast cancer cells in rats," explains Keith
Singletary, Ph.D., lead author of the study.
In one study, three different
concentrations of Concord (purple) grape juice were fed to female
Sprague-Dawley rats beginning one week after the administration
of a mammary carcinogen. Rats in the control group received the
carcinogen and were fed fluids with concentrations of calories,
carbohydrates, and organic acids similar to those in the juice concentrations.
At the end of the study, mammary tumor mass was reduced by 28 to
36 percent in the groups consuming the two higher juice concentrations
compared with mass in control animals. The number of tumors per
animal was reduced by 45 to 65 percent in the same two groups of
rats that received grape juice.
Concurrent experiments also
confirmed that addition of Concord grape color extract to cultures
of breast cancer cells derived from carcinogen-induced rat mammary
tumors led to a significant, dose-dependent inhibition of mitosis.
"In addition to
our own work, other research has suggested that certain components
in grapes, possibly the polyphenols, may have an inhibitory or preventive
affect on the growth of breast cancer cells," notes Dr. Singletary.
"And while these findings are preliminary and based on animal-model
research, they certainly suggest the need to look more closely at
the possible benefits they may eventually offer women."
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