Grape-Derived Agent May Fight Cancer

Resveratrol, the component of grapes best known for its heart-protective effects, may have another claim to fame: the ability to prevent cancer.

A recent study reported in the British Journal of Cancer shows that the body converts resveratrol into an anticancer agent that can target and kill cancer cells. Previous studies have determined that resveratrol has anti-cancer abilities, but this was the first study to show the mechanism behind resveratrol's anticancer actions.

The researchers discovered that the cytochrome P450 enzyme known as CYP1B1, found in a number of different tumors, metabolizes resveratrol into a phytoestrogen known as piceatannol, which has anticancer activity. The cell death triggered by piceatannol /resveratrol was limited to cancer cells and did not harm normal cells.

According to the researchers, the study demonstrates 'that a natural dietary cancer preventative agent can be converted to a compound with known anticancer activity by an enzyme that is found in human tumors.'

Resveratrol's responsibility in grapes is mainly to protect the fruit against fungus. But over the years research indicated that in humans it has a number of beneficial effects. Resveratrol is found in red wine and is thought to be the reason why this beverage is so beneficial for the heart. This new study adds to the mounting evidence that resveratrol's abilities may reach beyond protecting the heart.

Reference:

Potter GA, Patterson LH, Wanogho E, Perry PJ, Butler PC, Ijaz T, Ruparelia KC, Lamb JH, Farmer PB, Stanley LA, Burke MD. The cancer preventative agent resveratrol is converted to the anticancer agent piceatannol by the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP1B1. Br J Cancer. 2002 Mar 4;86(5):774-8.