MarkMincolla.com

December 2006

Cranberry Proanthocyanidins Inhibit Tumor Cell Proliferation

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass.—Proanthocyanidin-rich fractions of cranberry extract inhibit growth of lung tumors, colon and leukemia cells in vitro, according to a study published in The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (86, 1:18-25, 2006) (www3.interscience.wiley.com).

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and the University of Wisconsin tested the effect of high-proanthocyanidin fractions from whole cranberry extract (from Ocean Spray) upon eight tumor cell lines. Treatment of tumor cells with proanthocyanidin fractions inhibited proliferation of the tumor cell lines without inhibiting growth of normal embryonic mouse cells. In addition, the researchers collaborated with scientists from the University of Wisconsin to analyze the structure of the fractions used in the study and found cranberry’s anti-cancer activity may result from the structure of its proanthocyanidins.

“While previous studies have shown that cranberry extracts inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, this is the first study to confirm that it is the cranberry proanthocyanidins that are the active components,” said Catherine Neto, Ph.D., lead researcher. “This study is a significant step toward helping to establish a body of research that shows cranberry proanthocyanidins may also work to prevent tumor cell growth in vivo. In light of our findings and previously published studies, cranberries may inhibit the spread of cancer in a variety of ways. Further research is needed to determine the mechanisms associated with each of the cranberry’s active phytochemicals.”

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