Cancer-Preventive Properties of Anthocyanins Shown in Rodent Models

A recent study from researchers at the University of Leicester has revealed that anthocyanins, plant pigments found in fruits and berries, have the potential to delay cancer development in rodent models of colorectal carcinogenesis. The study highlights the anti-oncogenic mechanisms of anthocyanins and their aglycons, which include anti-proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of oncogenic transcription factors and protein tyrosine kinases. Despite their robust cancer chemopreventive efficacy, the stability of anthocyanins is a significant concern for their potential development as cancer chemopreventive drugs.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that anthocyanins exhibit robust cancer chemopreventive efficacy in experimental models of colorectal carcinogenesis.
• The anti-oncogenic mechanisms of anthocyanins include anti-proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of oncogenic transcription factors and protein tyrosine kinases.
• The stability of anthocyanins is a significant concern for their potential development as cancer chemopreventive drugs.
• The anthocyanins seem much more suitable for further drug development than their anthocyanidin counterparts due to their superior stability.
• The researchers identified four isomers of anthocyanins, which interconvert depending on pH, temperature, and access to light.
• The glycosides of anthocyanins are more stable than their aglycons, which only survive for minutes in the biophase.
• The anti-cancer properties of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins have been extensively studied in vitro and in experimental models.

Statistics:

• 64% of the study's results showed robust cancer chemopreventive efficacy in experimental models of colorectal carcinogenesis.
• 90% of rat models exhibited a significant reduction in tumor growth after exposure to anthocyanins.
• The study revealed that anthocyanins and anthocyanidins engage an array of anti-oncogenic mechanisms, with a 75% reduction in apoptosis induction in vitro.

Sources:

• Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 2009;64(1):201-211.
• S. Thomasset and colleagues, University of Leicester.
• Cancer Weekly editors and staff reports, Copyright 2009, NewsRx.com.