Acai Berry Polyphenols inhibit human leukemia cells

Acai Berry extract was added to human leukemia (HL60) cells. The higher the concentration of Acai the greater the inhibition of leukemia. The Acai inhibited the proliferation of leukemia cells by 56% to 86% depending on the amount used. Both the anthocyanin and the other polyphenols found in Acai inhibited the leukemia cells: in the case of Acai it is important to have the whole berry concentration supplying the full aray of polyphenols. The effect was most likely due to causing the destruction of leukemia cells by calling in the cellular executioners known as caspase-3. The study was performed at the Departmert of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida at Gainesville, and is published in the February 22, 2006 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

These drugs can accelerate heart rate, cause palpitations, lead to changes in blood pressure and pulse rate, cause angina and cardiac arrhythmias, increase anxiety, and agitation; it is not a stretch to consider that they may have serious consequences in isolated cases. Important Note: Parents should not discontinue the use of a drug without first consulting with the appropriate physician.

Pomegranate Extract may have the ability to fight very aggressive prostate cancer

Pomegranate fruit has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In a previous study Pomegranate Extract was shown to inhibit very aggressive PC3 human prostate carcinoma first by inhibiting the growth of the prostate cancer cells, followed by causing their destruction. In a follow up study, mice lacking immune function were implanted with human prostate cancer cells causing the growth of human prostate cancer. Giving serving sizes of Pomegranate Extract tolerated well by humans significantly inhibited the growth of the tumor and caused a reduction in the secretion of PSA into the serum. The direct application of this research; giving concentrated Pomegranate Extract to men with prostate cancer may retard the growth of the cancer and may result in prolonging the survival and improving the quality of life in prostate cancer patients. The research was perfored at the Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and is published in the February 15, 2006 issue of the journal Cell Cycle.