Study: Extra-virgin olive oil offers hope of new breast cancer treatment

Escrito por

Study: Extra-virgin olive oil offers hope of new breast cancer treatment

Recent study has revealed that extra-virgin olive oil contains plant chemicals that can help in curing breast cancer. Extra-virgin olive oil refers to the oil extracted by pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments. This process helps in retaining plant chemicals that are otherwise lost in the refining process.

This study revealed that two chemicals made by the plant and present in the oil blocked the protein involved in some breast cancers. Researchers first isolated the chemicals called lignans and secoiridoids then tested them against breast cancer cells in the lab.

Lead researcher, Javier Menéndez from the Catalan Institute of Oncology and Antonio Segura-Carretero from the University of Granada said, «Our findings reveal for the first time that all the major complex phenols present in extra-virgin olive oil drastically suppress overexpression of the cancer gene HER2 in human breast cancer cells.»

Researchers concluded that although these findings provide new insights on the mechanisms by which good quality oil, polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil, might contribute to a lowering of Her 2 breast cancers the results from the laboratory cannot be extrapolated to a human diet as the concentrations needed to produce an effect were much higher than could be obtained from food.
Descargar

Phytochemicals In Extra Virgin Olive Oil Kills Cancer Cells

Escrito por

Phytochemicals In Extra Virgin Olive Oil Kills Cancer Cells

A new research has attributed the phytochemicals (health-related chemicals) in extra-virgin olive oil with the ability to trigger cancer cell death.

The study published in the open access journal BMC Cancer sheds more light on the suspected association between olive oil-rich Mediterranean diets and reductions in breast cancer risk.

Javier Menendez from the Catalan Institute of Oncology and Antonio Segura-Carretero from the University of Granada in Spain led a team of researchers who set out to investigate which parts of olive oil were most active against cancer.

Menendez said, «Our findings reveal for the first time that all the major complex phenols present in extra-virgin olive oil drastically suppress over expression of the cancer gene HER2 in human breast cancer cells».

Extra-virgin olive oil is the oil that results from pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments. It contains phytochemicals that are otherwise lost in the refining process.

Menendez and colleagues separated the oil into fractions and tested these against breast cancer cells in lab experiments. All the fractions containing the major extra-virgin phytochemical polyphenols (lignans and secoiridoids) were found to effectively inhibit HER2.

Although these findings provide new insights on the mechanisms by which good quality oil, i.e. polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil, might contribute to a lowering of breast cancer risk in a HER2-dependent manner, extreme caution must be applied when applying the lab results to the human situation.
Descargar

Now olive oil can combat breast cancer

Escrito por

Now olive oil can combat breast cancer

Extra-virgin olive oil contains plant chemicals that combat breast cancer, a study has found.
Scientists believe the discovery may open the door to new treatments for the disease.

It may also help explain why olive-rich Mediterranean diets appear to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Extra-virgin olive oil is made from pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments.

Olive oil made this way contains plant chemicals that are otherwise lost in the refining process.

Researchers in Spain separated olive oil into «fractions» containing different plant chemicals, which were then tested for their effects on breast cancer cells in the laboratory.

All the fractions containing chemicals chiefly found in extra-virgin olive oil suppressed the breast cancer-promoting gene HER2 in the cells.

The compounds, known as «polyphenols», caused cells with overactive HER2 to commit suicide through a process called apoptosis.

In normal circumstances, apoptosis naturally helps to clear away defective and dangerous cells that might turn cancerous.

A well-known cancer drug, Herceptin, also targets the HER2 gene but is only effective in certain patients.

The scientists, led by Dr Javier Menendez, from the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Girona, and Dr Antonio Segura-Carretero, from the University of Granada, warned that the findings should be treated with caution.

They wrote in the online open access journal BMC Cancer: «The active phytochemicals… exhibited tumoricidal effects against cultured breast cancer cells at concentrations that are unlikely to be achieved in real life by consuming olive oil.»

However, they added that extra-virgin olive oil polyphenols might provide «an excellent and safe platform for the design of new anti-breast cancer drugs».

Dr Sarah Cant, policy manager at the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: «This study uses highly concentrated extracts of extra-virgin olive oil to kill a specific type of breast cancer cell grown in the lab.

«It will be interesting to see if further research in this area may lead to the development of new breast cancer treatments but there\’s no evidence to suggest that consuming large amounts of olive oil will reduce a woman\’s risk of breast cancer.

«We already know that regular exercise, reducing alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight can lower your risk. Anyone who is concerned about their risk of breast cancer should speak to their GP.»
Descargar

Extra-virgin olive oil may suppress cancer

Escrito por

Extra-virgin olive oil may suppress cancer

Phenols present in extra-virgin olive oil drastically suppress overexpression of the cancer gene HER2 in human breast cancer cells, Spanish researchers said.

Javier Menendez from the Catalan Institute of Oncology and Antonio Segura-Carretero from the University of Granada in Spain led a team of researchers who found extra-virgin olive oil is the oil that results from pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments. It contains phytochemicals that are otherwise lost in the refining process, the researchers said.

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein HER2, which promotes the growth of cancer cells. Menendez and colleagues separated the oil into fractions and tested these against breast cancer cells in lab experiments. All the fractions containing the major extra-virgin phytochemical polyphenols — lignans and secoiridoids — were found to effectively inhibit HER2.

Although the findings, published in the journal BMC Cancer, provide new insights on the mechanisms by which good quality oil, polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil, might contribute to a lowering of breast cancer risk in a HER2-dependent manner, extreme caution must be applied when applying the lab results to the human situation, the researchers said.

The active phytochemicals — lignans and secoiridoids — exhibited tumoricidal effects against cultured breast cancer cells at concentrations that are unlikely to be achieved in real life by consuming olive oil, the researchers said in a statement.
Descargar

Extra-virgin olive oil may suppress cancer

Escrito por

Extra-virgin olive oil may suppress cancer

Phenols present in extra-virgin olive oil drastically suppress overexpression of the cancer gene HER2 in human breast cancer cells, Spanish researchers said.

Javier Menendez from the Catalan Institute of Oncology and Antonio Segura-Carretero from the University of Granada in Spain led a team of researchers who found extra-virgin olive oil is the oil that results from pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments. It contains phytochemicals that are otherwise lost in the refining process, the researchers said.

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein HER2, which promotes the growth of cancer cells. Menendez and colleagues separated the oil into fractions and tested these against breast cancer cells in lab experiments. All the fractions containing the major extra-virgin phytochemical polyphenols — lignans and secoiridoids — were found to effectively inhibit HER2.

Although the findings, published in the journal BMC Cancer, provide new insights on the mechanisms by which good quality oil, polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil, might contribute to a lowering of breast cancer risk in a HER2-dependent manner, extreme caution must be applied when applying the lab results to the human situation, the researchers said.

The active phytochemicals — lignans and secoiridoids — exhibited tumoricidal effects against cultured breast cancer cells at concentrations that are unlikely to be achieved in real life by consuming olive oil, the researchers said in a statement.
Descargar

Extra-virgin olive oil may suppress cancer

Escrito por

Extra-virgin olive oil may suppress cancer

Phenols present in extra-virgin olive oil drastically suppress overexpression of the cancer gene HER2 in human breast cancer cells, Spanish researchers said.

Javier Menendez from the Catalan Institute of Oncology and Antonio Segura-Carretero from the University of Granada in Spain led a team of researchers who found extra-virgin olive oil is the oil that results from pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments. It contains phytochemicals that are otherwise lost in the refining process, the researchers said.

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein HER2, which promotes the growth of cancer cells. Menendez and colleagues separated the oil into fractions and tested these against breast cancer cells in lab experiments. All the fractions containing the major extra-virgin phytochemical polyphenols — lignans and secoiridoids — were found to effectively inhibit HER2.

Although the findings, published in the journal BMC Cancer, provide new insights on the mechanisms by which good quality oil, polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil, might contribute to a lowering of breast cancer risk in a HER2-dependent manner, extreme caution must be applied when applying the lab results to the human situation, the researchers said.

«The active phytochemicals — lignans and secoiridoids — exhibited tumoricidal effects against cultured breast cancer cells at concentrations that are unlikely to be achieved in real life by consuming olive oil,» the researchers said in a statement.
Descargar

Ice structures show mysteries of universe

Escrito por

Ice structures show mysteries of universe

Very cold ice films on interstellar dust particles are found in the universe but detailed information about the films\’ structure has not been readily available, scientists say. Now, state-of-the-art technology is giving researchers a chance to create ice films in cold conditions similar to those found in outer space, and to examine their molecular organisation. This will give them clues to help them understand various intriguing questions including abiogenesis, the origins of life on Earth.

An exploratory workshop held by the European Science Foundation (ESF) focused on frontier research currently being undertaken on ice structures. For most people, ice is synonymous with the frozen water we crave in our summer drinks. But there is a lot more to ice than meets the eye, as was made evident in the workshop recently held in Granada, Spain, the main aim of which was to generate ideas for a future European network around this subject.

The event was co-chaired Dr Julyan Cartwright, a specialist in ice structures at the Andalusian Institute for Earth Sciences (IACT) of the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Granada in Spain and C. Ignacio Sainz-Diaz, also of the IACT.

According to Dr Cartwright, the study of these ice structures could lead to revolutionary breakthroughs in other fields as well as having many industrial applications. Some of the amazing properties of ice have long been known. For example, it is the only non-metallic substance to expand when it freezes.

The workshop however included many experimental and theoretical points of view, on not only water ice, but also other ice and solids condensed from different types of gases that exist in the extreme conditions of space. It also covered topics such as polymorphism and polyamorphism of ice, nucleation, morphology, reactivity and spectroscopy.

The main focus of the workshop was on ice in space, however. This ice exists on small grains of dust, as well as on asteroids, comets, cold moons or planets, and occasionally planets such as Earth, capable of supporting life. Perhaps the most famous of all ice in space are the rings around Saturn. These rings are made from ice particles along with other debris and dust. In the low temperatures of space, ice is formed between 3 and 90 degrees above absolute zero, where absolute zero is at minus 273.15 degrees Celsius.

At these low temperatures, ice can create different structures at the mesoscale (one size larger than the microscale) than at terrestrial conditions. In some cases these can be amorphous in form, like a glass with the molecules in effect frozen in space, rather than like a crystal.

What many researchers have seen is that under certain conditions, ice can create biomimetic forms. In other words structures that appear life-like such as palm leaves or worms, or even at a smaller scale, like bacteria. For this reason, Dr Cartwright was quick to point out that researchers should not assume that life-like forms in objects obtained from space, like Mars rock, is evidence that life actually existed there. \’If one goes to another planet and sees small wormlike or palm like structures, one should not immediately call a press conference announcing alien life has been found,\’ said Dr Cartwright.

However, this ability to mimic lifelike structures suggests that nature may have copied physics. \’It is clear that biology does use physics. Indeed, how could it not do? So we shouldn\’t be surprised to see that sometimes biological structures clearly make use of simple physical principles. Then, going back in time, it seems reasonable to posit that when life first emerged, it would have been using as a container something much simpler than today\’s cell membrane, probably some sort of simple vesicle of the sort found in soap bubbles,\’ said Dr Cartwright. \’This sort of vesicle can be found in abiotic systems today, both in hot conditions, in the chemistry associated with «black smokers» on the sea floor, which is currently favoured as a possible origin of life, but also in the chemistry of sea ice.\’

This notion will be further explored in projects that have spun off from the ESF workshop.
Descargar

Spanish researchers find new anti-cancer compounds in extra-virgin olive oil

Escrito por

Spanish researchers find new anti-cancer compounds in extra-virgin olive oil

Researchers in Spain have discovered components of extra-virgin olive oil that are protective against both HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancers. Their findings, which have implications for the design of new anti-breast-cancer drugs, have been published in the journal BMC cancer.

Extra-virgin olive oil, a major component of the Mediterranean diet, is unique among vegetable oils in that it is relatively unprocessed and therefore retains a high level of polyphenols (common substances in plants). Previous studies have shown beneficial effects of oleic acid and one phenolic compound against certain breast cancers.

Dr Javier Menendez of the Catalan Institute of Oncology and Dr Antonio Segura-Carretero from the University of Granada led a study investigating the effects of other phenolic compounds found in extra-virgin olive oil on human breast-cancer cells. Specifically, they looked at the effect of these substances on HER2, one of the most commonly analysed genes in human cancer studies.

HER2 plays a pivotal role in transforming normal genes into cancerous ones, creating tumours and spreading the disease. According to the study, the gene is abundant in between 20% and 30% of invasive breast cancers and is associated with \’unfavourable prognosis, shorter relapse time and decreased overall survival.\’ The anti-cancer action of olive oil components, therefore, largely depends on their ability to suppress the expression of HER2.

The researchers separated the oil into fractions and tested the effects of each against breast cancer cells in the laboratory. They found that all of the fractions containing the major extra-virgin-olive-oil polyphenols (e.g. lignans, also found in flax seed, and secoiridoids, also found in jasmine) efficiently inhibited HER2.

\’Our findings reveal for the first time that all the major complex phenols present in extra-virgin olive oil drastically suppress over-expression of the cancer gene HER2 in human breast cancer cells,\’ said Dr Menendez.

It may be too soon, however, to translate these results into dietary advice. The actions of extra-virgin-olive-oil compounds such as secoiridoids and lignans \’should be carefully addressed in animal models and human pilot studies,\’ the authors caution. The active phytochemicals effectively killed off tumour cells in culture, but only at concentrations that are unlikely to be achieved in real life by consuming olive oil.

The findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil might contribute to lowering the risk for breast cancer. \’These findings, together with the fact that humans have safely been ingesting significant amounts of lignans and secoiridoids as long as they have been consuming olives and extra-virgin oil, strongly suggest that these polyphenols might provide an excellent and safe platform for the design of new anti breast-cancer drugs,\’ the study concludes.
Descargar

Chemicals in Olive Oil Could Hold the Key to New Breast Cancer Therapies

Escrito por

Chemicals in Olive Oil Could Hold the Key to New Breast Cancer Therapies

Olive oil has been known for years as an “elixir’” for the human body preventing heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol, skin and colon cancer, blood pressure, Alzheimer’s and gallstones. But it could also hold the key to creating new therapies for breast cancer after researchers discovered it contains chemicals that stop cancerous cells growing.

A team of researchers from the University of Granada in Spain found two chemicals in the oil blocked the protein involved in some breast cancers. The protein involved is HER2 protein and research shows that one in fifths of breast cancer tumors have it, making it grow more quickly than other breast cancer tumors.

The researchers say found that phytochemicals (lignans and secoiridoids), chemicals present in extra-virgin olive oil, effectively inhibited the breast cancer gene HER2.

Javier Menendez, of the Catalan Institute of Oncology, said, “our findings reveal for the first time that all major complex phenols present in extra-virgin olive oil drastically suppress overexpression of the cancer gene HER2 in human breast cancer cells.”

Phytochemicals are only present in the extra-virgin olive oil, which is obtained by pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments.

The researchers are now hopeful that these polyphenols might provide “an excellent and safe platform for the design of new anti-breast cancer drugs,” they wrote in the open-access journal BMC Cancer. However, they said that there’s no evidence that consuming large amounts of olive oil will reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer, Dr. Sarah Cant, policy manager at the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer said.
Descargar

Maslinic acid, isolated from olive pomace, provides a natural defence against colon-cancer

Escrito por

Maslinic acid, isolated from olive pomace, provides a natural defence against colon-cancer

Low concentrations of maslinic acid are to be found in plants with medicinal properties, but its concentration in the waxy skin of olives may be as high as 80%.

Researchers from the University of Granada and the University of Barcelona have shown that treatment with maslinic acid, a triterpenoid compound isolated from olive-skin pomace, results in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and causes apoptotic death in colon-cancer cells. Maslinic acid is a novel natural compound and it is able to induce apoptosis or programmed death in human HT29 colon-cancer cells via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Scientifics suggest this could be a useful new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colon carcinoma.

This study is the first to investigate the precise molecular mechanisms of the anti-tumoral and pro-apoptotic effects of maslinic acid against colon-cancer. Chemopreventive agents of a natural origin, often a part of our daily diet, may provide a cheap, effective way of controlling such diseases as cancer of the colon. A wide range of studies in recent years has shown that triterpenoids hinder carcinogenesis by intervening in pathways such as carcinogen activation, DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, cell differentiation and the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.

Triterpenoids are compounds present in a wide range of plants used in traditional medicine and known to have antitumoral properties. Low concentrations of maslinic acid are to be found in plants with medicinal properties, but its concentration in the waxy skin of olives may be as high as 80%.

The results of the study could contribute to the development of maslinic acid for use as cancer chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents.

The research paper will be published in 2009 in the journal Cancer Letters, specialized in the broad area of cancer research, under the title Maslinic acid, a natural triterpene from Olea europaea L., induces apoptosis in HT29 human colon-cancer cells via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway
Descargar

Chemical in extra-virgin olive oil can fight cancer

Escrito por

Chemical in extra-virgin olive oil can fight cancer

Extra-virgin olive oil contains plant chemicals that can combat breast cancer, a study has found.

Scientists believe the discovery may open the door to new treatments for the disease.

It may also help explain why olive-rich Mediterranean diets appear to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Extra-virgin olive oil is made from pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments. Olive oil made this way contains plant chemicals that are otherwise lost in the refining process.

Researchers in Spain separated olive oil into «fractions\’\’ containing different plant chemicals, which were then tested for their effects on breast cancer cells in the laboratory.

SUICIDE

All the fractions containing chemicals chiefly found in extra-virgin olive oil suppressed the breast cancer-promoting gene HER2 in the cells.

The compounds, known as «polyphenols\’\’, caused cells with overactive HER2 to die off through a process called apoptosis. In normal circumstances, apoptosis naturally helps to clear away defective and dangerous cells that might turn cancerous.

A well-known cancer drug, Herceptin, also targets the HER2 gene but is only effective in certain patients.

The scientists, led by Dr Javier Menendez, from the University of Granada, warned that the findings should be treated with caution.

And Dr Sarah Cant, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: «There\’s no evidence to suggest that consuming large amounts of olive oil will reduce a woman\’s risk of breast cancer.»
Descargar

Olive oil «can combat cancer»

Escrito por

Olive oil «can combat cancer»

Scientists have discovered that extra-virgin olive oil and an olive-rich diet contains plant chemicals that can help to combat breast cancer.

Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Girona and the University of Granada separated olive oil into «fractions» containing different plant chemicals, which were then tested for their effects on breast cancer cells in a laboratory.

Extra-virgin olive oil is made from pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments.

The scientists, led by Dr Javier Menendez and Dr Antonio Segura-Carretero, discovered that chemicals found in extra-virgin olive oil suppressed the breast cancer-promoting gene HER2.

Dr Sarah Cant, policy manager at the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said the research was «interesting.»

She added: «It will be interesting to see if further research in this area may lead to the development of new breast cancer treatments.»

However, the scientists warned that the findings «should be treated with caution» due to the highly-concentrated levels of extra-virgin olive oil they used in their research.

They wrote in the online open access journal BMC Cancer: «The active phytochemicals exhibited tumoricidal effects against cultured breast cancer cells at concentrations that are unlikely to be achieved in real life by consuming olive oil.»
Descargar