Papaya Extract Slows Growth of Cancer Cells in Lab Tests

Papaya is steadily gaining credibility in Western medicine for anti-cancer powers that cultures have recognized for generations.

Research scientists from the University of Florida and in Japan have documented
papaya's dramatic anticancer effect against a broad range of lab-grown tumors, including cancers of the cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas. The researchers used an extract prepared from dried papaya leaves, and the anticancer effects
were stronger when cells received larger doses of the tea.

In a paper published in the Feb. 17 issue of the Journal of
Ethnopharmacology, the researchers documented for the first time
that papaya leaf extract boosts the production of key signaling
molecules (called Th1-type cytokines.) This regulation of the immune
system, in addition to papaya's direct antitumor effect on various
cancers, suggests possible therapeutic strategies that use the
immune system to fight cancers.

The papaya extract did not have any toxic effects on normal cells,
avoiding a common and devastating consequence of many cancer
therapy regimens. The success of the papaya extract in acting on
cancer without toxicity is consistent with reports from indigenous
populations in Australia and Vietnam.

Researchers exposed 10 different types of cancer cell cultures to
four strengths of papaya leaf extract and measured the effect after
24 hours. Papaya slowed the growth of tumors in all the cultures.

To identify the mechanism by which papaya checked the growth of
the cultures, the team focused on a cell line for T lymphoma. Their
results suggested that at least one of the mechanisms employed by
the papaya extract is inducing cell death.

In a similar analysis, the team also looked at the effect of papaya
extract on the production of antitumor molecules known as cytokines.
Papaya was shown to promote the production of Th1-type cytokines,
important in the regulation of the immune system. For that reason,
the study findings raise the possibility of future use of papaya extract
components in immune-related conditions such as inflammation,
autoimmune disease and some cancers.

Foremost among papaya's health-promoting agents is papain,
papaya's signature enzyme, which is found in both the fruit and the
leaves.

Papaya extract's success in reducing cancer in laboratory cell
cultures must next be replicated in animal and human studies.
the researchers noted. The next step in the research is to identify
the specific compounds in the papaya extract active against the
cancer cell lines.

Story Source: University of Florida.

Antioxidants and L-Arginine Demonstrate Benefits for Active "Over Age 50" Sports Participants

New Research On How Antioxidants, Carotenoids, Amino Acids and Other Nutrients Provide Benefits For Boosting Energy & Endurance.Dietary Supplements Containing Arginine May Boost Athletic Performance for Active People Over Age 50 Reports A New Study.

The supplementation of key antioxidants including vitamins C and E, folic acid anlong with the amino acid L-Arginine was associated with a 17 per cent increase in the anaerobic threshold, defined as the amount of physical work done before lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood, according to findings published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

"The loss of exercise capacity with age often results in a reduction in physical fitness and more rapid senescence," explained lead researcher from the University of California, Los Angeles. "A dietary supplement that increases exercise capacity might help to preserve physical fitness by optimizing performance and improving general health and well being in older people."

The UCLA researchers recruited 16 men with an average age of 57.6 were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received the supplement combination while the other received placebo for three weeks. A stationary cycle was used to analyse changes in the anaerobic threshold.

At the end of one week of supplementation the researchers noted a 16.7 per cent increase in the anaerobic threshold in the supplementation group, which was maintained until week three, where a 14.2 per cent increase on baseline values was obtained. In the placebo group, however, no significant changes were recorded .

"We've demonstrated a 16.7 per cent increase in anaerobic threshold. This indicates a potential role of L-Arginine and antioxidant supplementation in improving exercise performance in elderly," the researchers observed.

Commenting on the potential mechanism of action, the researchers focussed on nitric oxide (NO), a molecule involved in many physiological processes, is produced from arginine and inactivated by oxygen free radicals. Supplementation with arginine and antioxidants, the researchers proposed a supporting of the NO system in the cyclists.

"This study indicated a potential role of L-arginine and antioxidant supplementation in improving exercise performance in elderly," they concluded.

The study was supported by a US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Nutrition and Obesity Training Grant.

Antioxidants will be the focus of the upcoming NutraIngredients "Antioxidants" 2010 Conference in Brussels. Topics ranging from testing to building the science to supporting health claims will be addressed by a range of international experts.

Source: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
"Arginine and antioxidant supplement on performance in elderly male cyclists: a randomized controlled trial"

Are Hand Sanitizers Better Than Hand Washing Against the Common Cold?

A new study suggests that hand sanitizers containing Ethanol are much more effective at removing rhino-virus from your hands than washing with soap and water. Sanitizers containing both ethanol and organic acids significantly reduced recovery of the virus from hands and rhino-virus infection up to 4 hours following application.

The researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville and Dial Corporation, Scottsdale, Arizona detail their findings in the March 2010 issue of the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

Rhino-virus is the known cause of approximately 30 to 35% of common cold cases in adults. Hand-to-hand contact is one of the main avenues of transmission contributing to the spread of rhino-virus infections. In the study researchers compared the effects of hand washing with soap and water and an ethanol-based hand sanitizer by contaminating the fingers of healthy volunteers with rhino-virus and then randomly grouping them and administering one of six hand treatments.

The experiments ranged from a control group who had no treatment, several groups who washed their hands for differing amounts of time (some with soap, some without), and several who used varying amounts of hand sanitizer. Results showed that the ethanol hand sanitizer removed approximately 80% of detectable rhino-virus from hands and was much more effective than no treatment, water alone,or soap and water. Soap and water removed rhino-virus from 31% of hands.

Further, researchers added organic acids to the ethanol-based sanitizer and analyzed its ability to provide persistent antiviral activity against rhino-virus following application. Results showed that the sanitizer containing both organic acids and ethanol inactivated the virus on hands and prevented infection 2 to 4 hours following application.

"The ethanol-containing hand disinfectants were significantly more effective than hand washing with water or with soap and water for removal of detectable rhino-virus for the hands in this study," say the researchers. "Furthermore, a formula containing organic acids and ethanol resulted in residual activity that significantly reduced virus recovery from the hands and rhino-virus infection for up to 4 hours after application."

Source: American Society for Microbiology.