Anti-Breast Cancer Activity of a Papaya Leaf Extract
Posted Mar 23 2010 6:59am
The papaya fruit is a excellent fruit that has many food applications. Like many plants, both the fruit and other parts (seeds, leaves, etc.) of the papaya tree have been used for various medicinal purposes. Papain is probably the best known component of papaya and is commonly used topically for the relief of rashes, stings, and burns.
New cancer research has examined the effects of a papaya leaf extract on several cancer cell lines, including breast cancer cells. For this study, MCF-7 breast cancer cells were grown in a cell culture system and treated with different amounts of the papaya leaf extract. In addition to the effects on the breast cancer cells, the investigators examined the effects of the papaya leaf extract on a type of white blood cell to determine how the papaya leaf extract might function. The investigators reported that
The papaya leaf extract prevented the growth of breast cancer cells in culture with higher doses having a greater benefit.
Prevention of cell growth appears to be mediated, at least in part, by stimulating the programmed cell death of the breast cancer cells.
The papaya leaf extract suppressed the production on inflammatory chemicals from the white blood cells.
Production of chemicals with possible anti-cancer properties were increased when white blood cells were treated with the papaya leaf extract.
None of the doses of the papaya leaf extract appeared to have any damaging effects normal cells.
These are very positive research results that suggest possible anti-cancer benefits of a papaya leaf extract. While this study was not dedicated to just breast cancer, parts of the study were done using breast cancer cells and the anti-tumor effects were noted in these cells as well as the other types of cancer cells. Overall, this study suggests that a papaya leaf extract inhibits breast cancer cell growth and alters the immune system in an anti-cancer direction. Additional research will need to be done to determine the active component(s) of the papaya leaf extract, to discover how it functions in breast cancer cells, and to determine if these benefits translate to people. Nonetheless, this study showed good initial results and makes a great starting point to further examine the benefits of papaya for breast cancer. Since it is unknown what the active component was in this study, it is also unknown if the active ingredient is present in the papaya fruit as well. However, the papaya is an excellent food choice as it is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium and is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate.
To find out more about some of my favorite foods to fight breast cancer, read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com .
New cancer research has examined the effects of a papaya leaf extract on several cancer cell lines, including breast cancer cells. For this study, MCF-7 breast cancer cells were grown in a cell culture system and treated with different amounts of the papaya leaf extract. In addition to the effects on the breast cancer cells, the investigators examined the effects of the papaya leaf extract on a type of white blood cell to determine how the papaya leaf extract might function. The investigators reported that
- The papaya leaf extract prevented the growth of breast cancer cells in culture with higher doses having a greater benefit.
- Prevention of cell growth appears to be mediated, at least in part, by stimulating the programmed cell death of the breast cancer cells.
- The papaya leaf extract suppressed the production on inflammatory chemicals from the white blood cells.
- Production of chemicals with possible anti-cancer properties were increased when white blood cells were treated with the papaya leaf extract.
- None of the doses of the papaya leaf extract appeared to have any damaging effects normal cells.
These are very positive research results that suggest possible anti-cancer benefits of a papaya leaf extract. While this study was not dedicated to just breast cancer, parts of the study were done using breast cancer cells and the anti-tumor effects were noted in these cells as well as the other types of cancer cells. Overall, this study suggests that a papaya leaf extract inhibits breast cancer cell growth and alters the immune system in an anti-cancer direction. Additional research will need to be done to determine the active component(s) of the papaya leaf extract, to discover how it functions in breast cancer cells, and to determine if these benefits translate to people. Nonetheless, this study showed good initial results and makes a great starting point to further examine the benefits of papaya for breast cancer. Since it is unknown what the active component was in this study, it is also unknown if the active ingredient is present in the papaya fruit as well. However, the papaya is an excellent food choice as it is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium and is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate.To find out more about some of my favorite foods to fight breast cancer, read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com .