Compounds in fruits are resistant to head and neck cancer

Lupeol substance ( Photo: uspto.gov )

November 16, 2007, news from Hong Kong: A recent study in Hong Kong discovered Lupeol, a compound in fruits like mangoes, grapes and strawberries that proved effective in killing and alkaline. Inhibiting the metastasis of cancer cells in the head and neck area.

An experiment in mice has shown that lupeol works best when combined with chemotherapy drugs and has almost no side effects. Scientists at the University of Hong Kong published the results in the Cancer Research magazine last September.

Anthony Yuen, professor of surgery at the University of Hong Kong, said lupeol could prevent the movement and development of cancer cells, even more effective than conventional drugs such as Cisplatin. .

The team plans to test again on animals and hopes to conduct human trials as soon as possible.

Head and neck cancer includes cancers of the nose, mouth, throat, larynx, thyroid and salivary glands. The disease usually attacks Asians more than Europeans due to some eating habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, betel nuts and long-term preserved foods such as salted fish.

These cancers are very difficult to treat. Fifty percent of patients who detect the disease in the late stage will not be able to perform surgery.

Head and neck surgery is often difficult because it involves both a large area of ​​diseased skin and porous tissue; Surgeons must first find a way to cover the affected area before opening the tumor.

Yuen said lupeol, also found in green vegetables, olive oil, figs and palm, has the ability to block a natural protein called NFkB, which helps cells repair and develop themselves. including cancer cells.

Grapes and strawberries are one of the most acceptable fruits for Lupeol against head and neck cancer

In the laboratory, lupoel is used for mice that carry malignant head and neck cancer cells. Observe that the tumor is not only metastatic but small. Compared with other drugs. Lupeol has reduced tumor size faster.

Previous medications made the experimental mice thin, while lupeol retained their normal weight. Weakness is often a bad sign in the fight against cancer.

According to Yuen, it is possible to use Lupeol for the treatment of other cancers because it is able to block NFkB protein, which activates many diseases such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, and cancer. liver letter.

Quyen