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Oranges As Anti-cancer Agent

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COLLEGE STATION – Orange juice and cancer don’t mix. In fact, the popular citrus drink could become a cocktail to prevent or stop the deadly disease in humans. 1

The fruit of Citrus sinensis is called sweet orange to distinguish it from Citrus aurantium, the bitter orange. In a number of languages, it is known as a “Chinese apple” (e.g. The name is thought to ultimately derive from the Dravidian word for the orange tree, with its final form developing after passing through numerous intermediate languages. 2

In test-tube studies, one class of the bitter compounds–flavonoids–has inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells (SN: 5/4/96, p. 287). Related studies showed that bitter citrus limonoids similarly ward off cancer in animals. Mulling over such data, Maurice R. Bennink of Michigan State University in East Lansing wondered whether drinking orange juice would have a beneficial effect. 3

The Florida Department of Citrus donated $1 million to the American Cancer Society in exchange for the right to do the ads. Some observers say they might make it appear that orange juice has unique anti-cancer properties. 4

Effects of fruit juicesyprocessed vegetable juice, orange peel and green tea on endogenous formation of N-nitrosoproline in subjects from a high-risk area for gastric cancer in Moping County,china. Eur J of Cancer Prevention, vol. 2: 327-33. 5

The scientists induced colon cancer in the rats and later examined them for tumor development. The rats that drank orange juice had 22 percent fewer incidence of early tumor development. 6

Oranges and cardiovascular health - An orange a day promotes cardiovascular health. One health study found that drinking one daily glass of orange juice reduced the risk of stroke by 25 percent. Countless other studies have confirmed similar benefits from regular consumption of citrus. 7

For example, oranges are rich in vitamin C. They are also rich in flavonoids, such as hesperidin, that work to revive vitamin C after it has quenched a free radical. In other words, the hesperidin strengthens and amplifies the effect of vitamin C in your body. In an interesting human clinical trial, orange juice was shown to elevate HDL cholesterol (”good” cholesterol) while lowering LDL (so-called bad) cholesterol. 8

Other research has shown that compounds found in orange juice and other citrus fruits - called flavanones, limonoids and cumarins - inhibited the development of some cancerous tumors. Bennink said it appears that the compounds change the characteristics of the lining of the colon, making it a less friendly place for cancer cells to develop. 9

The specific chemopreventive agents discussed in the report are hesperidin and limonin glucoside, which are phytochemicals that are found in citrus fruits and juices. Phytochemicals are chemical components of foods that do not belong to the traditional nutrient classes of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals. 10

The scientists don’t know what compounds in orange juice underlie its effect. The juice is rich in one limonoid–a sugar-containing version of limonin, which suppressed tumors in Lam’s experiments. It’s possible, Lam speculates, that rats convert the juice’s limonoid into limonin. 11

Indeed, argues Gary D. Manners of the Agricultural Research Service in Albany, Calif., “there is no doubt that these [anticancer] citrus compounds are bioavailable in animals to the site of a cancer.” The question remains whether they are similarly available in people. To find out, his team will soon begin measuring the human body’s uptake of limonoids from orange juice. 12

A National Cancer Institute study in Louisiana found that twice-a-day fruit eaters (bananas, oranges, strawberries, canned fruits, orange juice and apples) had only 40 percent the risk of pancreatic cancer of those eating fruit less than once a day. The more fruit, the lower the risk. 13

Unlike many phytochemicals, orange peel extract is lipid soluble, a property which is desirable in many drug products because passage across biological membranes, and ultimately bioavailability, is enhanced. Orange peel and its extracts have been used in a variety of herbal drug products in combination with many different plant components and extracts. However, none of the previous research on orange peel or its extracts has examined or demonstrated activity against tumor cell growth or cancer. It has now been shown that orange peel extract inhibits tumor growth in vivo. 14

Orange peel extract is a mixture of highly bioactive and organic soluble, methylated flavonoids. An extract was obtained from cold-pressed peel oil solids, a waste product from the orange juice industry. The peel oil solids were dissolved in warm ethanol and, after several repeated washes, became a standardized product, with a reproducible amount of flavonoids. The extract comprises a mixture of various analogs and homologs of methylated flavonoids. 15

    References

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May 8, 2008 | Filed Under Cancer Related 

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