Prostate cancer, new frontiers for the treatment of the disease. A study conducted by the University of Colorado Cancer Center reveals how the juice extracted from bitter melon, a particular type of this fruit, may be able to limit the ability of cancer cells located in the pancreas to metabolize glucose.
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Cancro al pancreas, new frontiers for the treatment of the disease. One study conducted by the University of Colorado Cancer Center reveals how the juice extracted from bitter melon, fruit already considered beneficial in case of diabetes, may be able to limit the ability of cancer cells located in the pancreas to metabolize glucose.
In this way, the bitter melon extract would help to hinder one of the energy sources of the cells and consequently lead to their death. The results of the study were published in the pages of the scientific journal Carcinogenesis. Three years ago, researchers looked at the effects of bitter melon extract with regards to breast cancer, as stated by the expert on the matter Rajesh Agarwal. The new study, concerning the pancreatic cancer, would be much more detailed.
The experts used bitter melon juice, a drink that the populations of Asian countries normally consume in quantities, and were able to verify how it works inhinder glucose metabolism at the level of pancreatic cancer cells, depriving them of an important energy source.
According to scientific evidence, pancreatic cancer is typically preceded by diabetes and bitter melon juice has been shown to have an effect on type 2 diabetes. It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to combat diabetes. Starting from these assumptions, the researchers decided to test the effects of bitter melon juice directly in the case of pancreatic cancer.
The result obtained is a alteration of metabolic processes at the level of pancreatic cancer cells, accompanied by an activation of an enzyme indicating low energy levels in the cells. Bitter melon also contributes to regulate insulin secretion by the cells of the pancreas. Researchers were excited about the discovery, as simple bitter melon juice could replace drugs to treat pancreatic cancer. For this reason they would be willing to apply for a scholarship to be able to further research in this regard.
Marta Albè
Photo source: RedOrbit.com
