Research on Apple

Flávia A P Ribeiro and colleagues considers that apples have plenty of phytochemicals, including flavonoids (catechins, flavonols, quercetin) and phenolic acids (quercetin glycosides, catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins), vitamins, and fibers, and most of them have antioxidant properties. And, chemoprevention means the use of natural or synthetic agents to interfere with the progression, reverse, or inhibit carcinogenesis, thereby reducing the risk of developing clinically invasive disease.Researchers studied how apples might help prevent cancer. They tested apple extracts in both lab experiments (in-vitro) and on live animals (in-vivo). Their findings suggest that certain components in apples might fight cancer by protecting cells from damage and regulating cell growth. However, more research is needed. Scientists need to pinpoint the exact substances in apples that have this anticancer effect. They also want to find out when and how much apple is most beneficial. Large studies involving people (randomized controlled trials) would be ideal for this. Additionally, studies on animals can provide valuable insights into how apples might benefit our overall health and potentially prevent other diseases like cancer. In short, this area deserves further exploration. It could lead to a new approach to health, not just for apples, but for other fruits with potential to fight diseases. (1)

Roberto Fabiani and colleagues ran a meta-analysis checking whether an association exists between apple intake and cancer risk. They examined 41 studies on apples and cancer risk. These studies fell into two categories: Case-control studies (20) and cohort studies (21): Case-control studies compare people with cancer to those without, looking back at their apple consumption habits. Cohort studies follow people over time, tracking their apple intake and who develops cancer. They found: 1. Studies on lung cancer showed a clear benefit from eating apples, regardless of whether they were case-control or cohort studies. This means people who ate the most apples had a significantly lower risk of lung cancer. 2. Studies on other cancers like colorectal, breast, and overall digestive tract cancers were less conclusive. Case-control studies suggested apples might help prevent these cancers, but long-term cohort studies didn't find the same effect. This could be due to other factors in people's diets that weren't considered in the studies. While apples might be helpful for lung cancer, more research is needed to confirm their impact on other cancers. It's also important to consider people's overall diet, not just apple consumption. (2)

REFERENCES

(1) Flávia A P Ribeiro et al, The chemopreventive activity of apple against carcinogenesis: antioxidant activity and cell cycle control, Eur J Cancer Prev

. 2014 Sep;23(5):477-80. 

(2) Roberto Fabiani et al, Apple intake and cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, Public Health Nutr. 2016 Oct;19(14):2603-17.

Recent Research on Spinach

Spinach: An Ancient Superfood Backed by Modern Science

Fatemeh Akbari and colleagues have summarized the health benefits of spinach. Spinach is a leafy green veggie that's been around for ages. In traditional Persian medicine, it was prized for its health benefits. Persian medicine considered spinach a source of many nutrients and good for digestion.They used it to treat various issues like inflammation, lung problems, back pain, and even dementia. Research supports some of these traditional uses. Scientists have found that spinach has antioxidants, reduces inflammation, might help fight cancer, and even benefits your brain and eyes. Thus, spinach seems to be a powerhouse for good health! It's readily available, affordable, and packed with nutrients. However, more studies are needed to see how effective it is for specific diseases. But, combining traditional knowledge with modern science shows spinach could be a key player in future health strategies. (1)

Md Rahmat Ali and colleagues consider that cancer is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death globally. They conducted a study to identify edible foods with cytotoxic and/or antioxidant activities that can prevent cancer when consumed in a regular diet. In the study, S68 edible foods were purchased from the local market, and the materials were extracted with 80% methanol. They found: Among the edible foods, carrot, pointed gourd, wax gourd, ficus, apple, lemon, cumin seed, and white peppercorn showed moderate cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. The growth of HeLa cells was significantly inhibited dose-dependently by tomato, banana, Indian spinach, guava, lemon peel, and coriander. Tomato, Indian spinach, lemon peel, and coriander exerted significant dose-dependent inhibition of H2228, HEK293, and H3122 cell proliferation. The tomato, Indian spinach, lemon peel, and coriander extracts induced HeLa cell apoptosis. White peppercorn, amaranth, apple, wax gourd, cumin seed, taro, and lemon peel contained significant amounts of polyphenols and showed high antioxidant activity. White peppercorn, apple, coriander, lemon peel, and ficus significantly scavenged DPPH free radicals. The overall results suggest that the daily intake of these antioxidant-rich cytotoxic foods can prevent or reduce the risk of cancer. 

Eating spinach reminds me Popeye.

REFERENCES

(1) Fatemeh Akbari et al, Spinacia Oleracea: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential in Persian Medicine and Modern Pharmacology, Curr Drug Discov Technol. 2024 Feb 15.

(2) Md Rahmat Ali  et al, Exploring the therapeutic potential of edible vegetables, fruits, and spices against cancer in various cell lines,J Cancer. 2024 Jan 1;15(3):577-589. 

Recent Research on Carrot

Saleh A Almatroodi and colleagues state that luteolin is a natural substance found in many fruits and vegetables, like carrots, onions, and apples. Scientists have been studying luteolin to see if it can help prevent and treat diseases, including cancer.  Research suggests this compound possesses the ability to combat cancer by modulating cell-signaling pathways across various types of cancer. Luteolin inhibits cancer-cell survival and proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, mTOR/PI3K/Akt, STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, and cell-cycle arrest, and induces apoptosis. THus, this compound may play a vital role in the up/down-regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer therapy.  (1)

This study draws my attention on carrot's health benefits, and I found there is a recent review article on this topic. Here is a brief summary:

Daucus carota L., a member of the Apiaceae family, comprises 13 subspecies, with one being cultivated (D. carota L. ssp. sativus (Hoffm.) Arcang.) and the remaining being wild. Traditionally, the wild carrot has been recognized for its antilithic, diuretic, carminative, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties and has been employed in the treatment of urinary calculus, cystitis, gout, prostatitis, and cancer. 

Thirteen wild Daucus carota subspecies were analyzed, and they contain lots of different compounds, including terpenoids, phenylpropenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, with 40 constituting more than 3% of the composition. Most have the antioxidant, anticancer, antipyretic, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, hypolipidemic, and hepato- and gastroprotective properties. Their traditional uses include the treatment of infections, inflammation, and cancer. 

By the way, Daucus carota L. is the scientific name for the common carrot, including both the cultivated orange variety we find at the grocery store and its wild ancestor. The "L." at the end stands for Carl Linnaeus, the founder of modern taxonomy, the system of classifying living things.

REFERENCES

(1) Saleh A Almatroodi et al, Effects and Mechanisms of Luteolin, a Plant-Based Flavonoid, in the Prevention of Cancers via Modulation of Inflammation and Cell Signaling Molecules Molecules. 2024 Feb 29;29(5):1093.

(2) Jana Ismail, et al, The Wild Carrot (Daucus carota): A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review, Plants (Basel). 2023 Dec 27;13(1):93.

Recent Research on Onion

Onions (Allium Cepa Linn.) have been used in medicine for a long time and are a common food. A study investigated if onion extract could improve fertility in rats across two generations. In this study, the researchers first tested the onion extract's antioxidant properties and safety. Then, they fed male and female rats different amounts of the extract or plain water. They looked at how well the rats reproduced, including the number of babies born, sperm health, hormone levels, and overall health. The results showed that the onion extract did not affect the rats' weight or survival but significantly improved sperm quality and quantity in both male generations. Additionally, the extract improved hormone levels related to reproduction in both males and females. Overall, the study suggests that onion extract may help improve fertility in rats by reducing oxidative stress and improving hormone activity. (1)

In a separate study, onion (Allium cepa) peels have been shown to have antidepressant effects in mice. Researchers were looking for the specific component in the peels that caused this effect. They found that a compound called quercetin 4'-O-glucoside was responsible. When mice were given quercetin 4'-O-glucoside, it acted similarly to a common antidepressant medication (fluoxetine) in tests designed to measure depression-like behaviors. The researchers believe that quercetin 4'-O-glucoside may work by reducing stress on brain cells and improving levels of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in mood. (2)

REFERENCE

(1) Sadia Suri et al, The beneficial effect of Allium Cepa bulb extract on reproduction of rats; A two-generation study on fecundity and sex hormones , PLoS One  . 2024 Mar 14;19(3):e0294999.

(2) Varinder Singh et al, Anti-depressant like effects of quercetin 4'-O-glucoside from Allium cepa via regulation of brain oxidative stress and monoamine levels in mice subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress, Nutr Neurosci. 2021 Jan;24(1):35-44.

Recent Research on Garlic

Cancer is a life-threatening disease caused by the uncontrolled multiplication of cells, which culminates in a solid mass of cells known as a tumor or liquid cancer. It is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and the number of cancer patients has been increasing at an alarming rate, with an estimated 20 million cases expected by 2030. A research group states the use of complementary or alternative therapeutic techniques that can help prevent cancer has been the subject of increased attention. Garlic is the most widely used plant medicinal product for various conditions. Diallyl disulfide is a major organosulfur compound contained within garlic. (1)

Garlic contains a compound called diallyl disulfide (DADS) that has been shown to fight cancer in multiple ways. A study investigated how diallyl disulfide affects a protein called DJ-1 in stomach cancer cells. DJ-1 seems to be involved in cancer progression. The researchers found that diallyl disulfide reduced DJ-1 levels, which in turn increased levels of another protein called PTEN that suppresses cancer cell growth. Diallyl disulfide also slowed down the spread and invasion of cancer cells and made them more susceptible to chemotherapy drugs. Overall, this study suggests that diallyl disulfide has potential as a preventative measure or as a supplement to chemotherapy for stomach cancer. (2)

REFERENCE

(1) Saikat Mitra et al, Diallyl Disulfide: A Bioactive Garlic Compound with Anticancer Potential, Front Pharmacol. 2022 Aug 22:13:943967.

(2) Jian Su et al, Diallyl disulfide antagonizes DJ-1 mediated proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and chemoresistance in gastric cancer cells Environ Toxicol  . 2024 Apr 20. doi: 10.1002/tox.24300.  

Recent Research on Ginseng

Researchers from China investigated a substance called Ginsenoside CK, found in ginseng, to see if it could fight liver cancer. They studied how this ginsenoside affected liver cancer cells in a lab setting and found that CK slowed down the growth of these cells and triggered a process called ferroptosis, which essentially kills the cells. Experiments suggest this ginsenoside achieves this by activating a specific pathway (FOXO) within the cells. Finally, they tested this ginsenoside in mice (as a HepG2 cell-transplanted tumor model) with transplanted liver tumors and observed that this ginsenoside slowed down tumor growth. These findings provide promising evidence that this ginsenoside might be a potential treatment for liver cancer with fewer side effects. (1)

Question - How does this ginsenoside interact with the body's cytochrome P450 (CYPs) enzymes?

In a study, researchers screened the cytochrome P450 enzymes for the metabolism of Ginsenoside CK in vitro using human liver microsomes or human recombinant CYPs. The results showed that Ginsenoside CK inhibited the enzyme activities of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 in the human liver microsomes. Ginsenoside CK acts as a substrate for these enzymes, meaning it gets broken down by them. Interestingly, Ginsenoside CK also inhibits the activity of these enzymes. This means it can slow down how the body processes certain medications. (2)

While the study doesn't directly say how Ginsenoside CK helps with cancer, it highlights a potential concern. If a liver cancer patient takes Ginsenoside CK along with other medications that rely on CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 to work effectively, Ginsenoside CK might interfere with those medications. This could alter the effectiveness of the other medications. 

Reference

(1) Jiaxin Chen et al, Ginsenoside compound K induces ferroptosis via the FOXO pathway in liver cancer cells, BMC Complement Med Ther. 2024 Apr 25;24(1):174.

(2) Jian Xiao et al, Screening of Drug Metabolizing Enzymes for the Ginsenoside Compound K In Vitro: An Efficient Anti-Cancer Substance Originating from Panax Ginseng,PLoS One. 2016 Feb 4;11(2):e0147183.

Recent Research on Ginger - Sedation

The calming effects of ginger oil on juvenile pacu fish

Researchers from Brazil conducted an interesting study. This study investigated whether the oil from ginger root (called essential oil of Zingiber officinale or EOZO) could calm or even anesthetize juvenile pacu fish (1).

• Calming them down (sedation): The researchers found that low doses (30 mg per liter of water) of ginger oil acted like a sedative for the fish. This means the fish were less active and likely used less oxygen during transport.
• Putting them to sleep (anesthesia): Higher doses (200 mg per liter) were strong enough to actually anesthetize the fish, making them completely numb and unconscious. This could be useful for procedures like surgery.

The good news is that the ginger oil didn't seem to harm the fish in any way. The researchers checked their blood and tissues and found the oil disappeared quickly, and the fish health remained good.

Overall, this study suggests ginger oil could be a safe and natural way to calm or anesthetize fish, especially during transport or procedures. It would be interesting to see if ginger also has such sedative effect on human. Here is one study:

Researchers from Thailand compared the effect of ginger and vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, a randomized double-blind controlled trial of 126 pregnant women. In the study, the pregnant women took either 650 mg of ginger or 25 mg of vitamin B6, 3 times a day for 4 days. Then, they assessed the degree of nausea and vomiting. The study showed the effect of nausea and vomiting reduction. And they found some minor side effects such as sedation, heartburn and arrhythmia. (2)

Yes, the study shows ginger might have a sedation effect. But, the sedation could be caused by the ginger itself or the interaction with the pregnant women's bodies, and the percentage of people experiencing sedation is relatively low (about 25%). 

Reference

(1) Anuzhia Paiva Moreira et al, Efficacy of essential oil from ginger (Zingiber officinale) for anesthesia and transport sedation of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), Fish Physiol Biochem. 2024 Apr 17. doi: 10.1007/s10695-024-01346-1.

(2) Porndee Chittumma et al, Comparison of the effectiveness of ginger and vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized double-blind controlled trial. J. Med. Assoc. Thai. 2007 Jan;90(1):15-20.