Scientists find natural compounds that successfully "starve" cancer cells

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a potential natural compound that can successfully "starve" prostate cancer cells and shrink tumors. This compound exists in turmeric, red grape skin and apple skin, and the effect seems to be more powerful if the three are combined. The complete research report was published in the Journal of precision oncology.

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in male prostate tissue and is the result of abnormal and disordered growth of prostate acinar cells. The incidence rate of prostate cancer has obvious geographical and ethnic differences. According to the data of the American Cancer Association, prostate cancer is the most common male cancer, with about 161360 new cases and 26730 deaths from prostate cancer every year.

In previous studies, some compounds that can reduce the risk of prostate cancer have been identified, especially in plant-based foods.

In this study, scientists used high-throughput screening technology to test 142 natural compounds, with the aim of determining which compounds can effectively prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells. During the experiment, the researchers identified three compounds that were most effective in preventing the growth of prostate cancer cells, which were found in curcumin (bright yellow compound), ursolic acid (apple peel) and resveratrol (red grape and berry).

Researchers found that ursolic acid combined with natural compounds such as curcumin or resveratrol successfully prevented glutamine in prostate cancer and slowed down tumor growth. Glutamine is an amino acid, which is a key component for the growth of prostate cancer cells. Therefore, effectively preventing its absorption can make cancer cells die eventually. More importantly, because ursolic acid, curcumin and resveratrol are natural compounds, they will not cause other adverse effects.