Botanical Formula Effective In Treating Prostate Cancer

Editor's Choice
Academic Journal
Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 17 Feb 2012 - 8:00 PST


A study published online in The International Journal of Oncology reports findings from a team of scientists at Indiana University, Methodist Research Institute, who examined a botanical formula containing botanical extracts, phytonutrients, botanically-enhanced medicinal mushrooms, and antioxidants, that kills aggressive prostate cancer tumors.

The researchers conducted experiments in mice using a human prostate cancer tumor model. This is the third publication from a major university study reporting important findings of this particular multi-nutrient prostate formula to fight the invasive behavior of aggressive prostate cancer cells, tumor growth and metastasis.

Dr. Daniel Sliva, who led the research, commented:

"Multiple studies demonstrate that this prostate formula is a possible treatment for hormone refractory (androgen independent) prostate cancer."

The findings of the study demonstrate that the prostate formula substantially inhibited tumor growth in aggressive, hormone refractory, androgen independent human-prostate cancer cells. After evaluating the formula's potential toxicity, it was deemed safe, with no signs of toxicity at the highest dosages.

Dr. Isaac Eliaz, researcher and formulator, declares:

"This study is a milestone in the research of this formula, demonstrating its safety and effectiveness in treating human prostate cancer in an animal model. These positive results offer a significant contribution to the field of prostate cancer research, and add to the growing body of published data substantiating the role of natural compounds in the treatment of prostate cancer."

The study, which used a xenograft tumor model of human prostate cancer in mice, revealed that in comparison to controls, oral administration of the formula achieved a statistically important suppression of 27% in tumor growth.

What proved even more significant was that the formula suppressed the expression of several genes that affect cancer proliferation and metastasis, three of which, IGF2, NRNF2 and PLAU/uPA are connected to potentially producing metastasis, other than controlling aggressive prostate cancer growth. The formula was also observed to substantially increase the expression of CDKN1A, a gene that fights prostate cancer by specifically inhibiting other cancer promoting cellular mechanisms.

The formula's abilities to suppress specific genes that are associated with aggressive prostate cancer growth and proliferation, and increase the expression of cancer-fighting genes, proves that this integrative formula has multiple anti-cancer mechanisms and genetic targets. The pre-clinical in vivo study supports earlier published in vitro data, which also demonstrate the formula's ability of decreasing expression of PLAU/uPA genes in aggressive, hormone-independent prostate cancer cells.

Dr. Sliva concludes:

"In summary, this dietary supplement is a natural compound for the possible therapy of human hormone refractory (independent) prostate cancer."

The formula's ongoing research in prostate cancer models continue to demonstrate promising results, with further studies coming up.

Written by Petra Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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