| CAN meals rich in mangoes and edible mushroom help | | | | used for lung problems. |
| to prevent or/and stop the spread of cancers? | | | | Korean researchers showed that cordyceps is a |
| Mangoes and mushrooms have been discovered to | | | | great help in blocking the expression of rheumatoid |
| contain ingredients that could be used for the | | | | arthritis. It potently blocked various chemicals that |
| production of new drugs for the treatment of | | | | trigger rheumatoid arthritis. |
| cancers. | | | | More promising than its use in fighting inflammatory |
| Scientists have discovered how a promising cancer | | | | problems is its potential as a cancer-fighting agent. |
| drug, first discovered in a wild mushroom, works. The | | | | Like other medicinal mushrooms, the cordyceps |
| University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, team | | | | mushroom contains a high concentration of |
| believe their work could help make the drug more | | | | polysaccharides. |
| effective, and useful for treating a wider range of | | | | Polysaccharides are molecules that have |
| cancers. | | | | cancer-fighting properties; numerous studies have |
| Cordycepin, commonly used in Chinese medicine, was | | | | shown that polysaccharide-rich compounds inhibit the |
| originally extracted from a rare kind of parasitic | | | | growth of cancerous tumours in lab animals. |
| mushroom that grows on caterpillars. The study | | | | Certain types of cordyceps have polysaccharides |
| appeared in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. | | | | containing selenium, a chemical element that is toxic in |
| Also, mango has been found to prevent or stop | | | | large amounts, but trace amounts of selenium are |
| certain colon and breast cancer cells in the laboratory. | | | | necessary for cellular health. Selenium also forms the |
| A new study by Texas AgriLife Research food | | | | active centers of certain enzymes which act as |
| scientists, United States, who examined the five | | | | anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants prevent cell damage |
| varieties most common in the U.S.- Kent, Francine, | | | | caused by unstable molecules, or "free radicals", and |
| Ataulfo, Tommy/Atkins and Haden- found some | | | | cells damaged by free radicals are one of the causes |
| impact on lung, leukemia and prostate cancers but | | | | of cancer. |
| was most effective on the most common breast | | | | Chinese researchers exploring the selenium-rich |
| and colon cancers. | | | | polysaccharides from certain types of cordyceps in |
| Mango is botanically called Mangifera indica and | | | | tumor-bearing lab mice found that cordyceps showed |
| belongs to the plant family Anacardiaceae. Mango is | | | | "significant anti-tumor action with the inhibitory rate |
| mangoro (the fruit), mangorohi (the tree) in | | | | of 46.92 per cent. |
| Fula-Fulfulde; umangohi in Idoma; mangolo in Igala; | | | | Meanwhile, Korean researchers discovered that an |
| mangulo in Igbo; and mangoro or oro oyinbo in | | | | aqueous extract of the same species of cordyceps |
| Yoruba. | | | | (cordyceps militaris) could also be used to kill human |
| Nigerian researchers have also determined the protein | | | | breast cancer cells. The cordyceps mushroom has |
| content of three wild mushroom species growing in | | | | been studied by medical researchers for some time - |
| Owo Local Government areas of Ondo State: | | | | the first scientific publication on cordycepin was in |
| Termitomyces robustus (known as Ewe in Yoruba), | | | | 1950. |
| Lentinus squarrosulus Mont (known as Tifa in Yoruba) | | | | Cordyceps is not as well researched as Reishi but |
| and Lentimula edodes (known as Sheshe-Ope in | | | | Cancer Research United Kingdom suggests that, |
| Yoruba). | | | | 'Cordyceps may be useful for cancer patients due to |
| According to the result of the study published in | | | | its enhancement of cell-mediated immunity, oxygen |
| Ethnobotanical Leaflets and Plant Foods for Human | | | | free radical scavenging and support for cellular |
| Nutrition (formerly Qualitas Plantarum), the highest | | | | bioenergy systems'. |
| amount of protein was found in Lentinus squarrosulus | | | | Medicinal mushrooms have latent cancer preventative |
| Mont (37.80mg/ml), followed by Termitomyces | | | | properties. Studies in Japan and Brazil strongly |
| robustus (33.00mg/ml) and least found in Lentimula | | | | suggest that regular consumption over prolonged |
| edodes (17.00mg/ml). | | | | periods significantly reduce the levels of cancer |
| The researchers include: R. A. Jose of the | | | | incidence. |
| Department of Science Technology, Rufus Giwa | | | | Cancer Research UK also found increasing |
| Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State; and J. Kayode of the | | | | experimental evidence that medicinal mushrooms can |
| Department of Plant Science, University of Ado-Ekiti, | | | | have a cancer preventative effect, demonstrating |
| Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. | | | | both high anti-tumor activity and restriction of tumor |
| Over the last decade, mushrooms have been studied | | | | metastasis. A 14-year survey in Japan revealed |
| as a novel functional food in Japan, Korea, China and | | | | cancer rates of workers at medicinal mushroom |
| Taiwan. Mushrooms, which have been used as food | | | | farms were one in 1000 compared to one in 600 for |
| from time immemorial for their taste and flavour, | | | | the general population. |
| have in recent times been found to be highly | | | | Professor Janet Allen is director of research at the |
| nutritious and medicinal. They are rich in high quality | | | | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research |
| protein, minerals and vitamins such as folic acid but | | | | Council, which funded the mango study. |
| low in fat content. | | | | She said: "This project shows that we can always |
| In Nigeria, wild edible mushrooms are one of the | | | | return to asking questions about the fundamental |
| important minor forest products, which are locally | | | | biology of something in order to refine the solution or |
| traded in local market of the country. Due to their | | | | resolve unanswered questions. The knowledge |
| high content of protein, vitamins and minerals, | | | | generated by this research demonstrates the |
| mushrooms are considered as "poor man's protein". | | | | mechanisms of drug action and could have an impact |
| Previous studies had asserted that the maximum | | | | on one of the most important challenges to health." |
| protein content and the best amino acid balance are | | | | Though the mango is an ancient fruit heavily |
| found in mushrooms just before the caps expand. It | | | | consumed in many parts of the world, little has been |
| has also been established that the major food value | | | | known about its health aspects. The National Mango |
| of mushroom lies in their protein components. | | | | Board commissioned a variety of studies with several |
| The results of the Ondo State study revealed that | | | | U.S. researchers to help determine its nutritional value. |
| these mushrooms are nutritiously good for | | | | Dr. Susanne Talcott, who with her husband, Dr. Steve |
| consumption. In fact, previous studies had revealed | | | | Talcott, conducted the study on cancer cells said: "If |
| that edible mushrooms contained all the essential | | | | you look at what people currently perceive as a |
| amino acids as well as most commonly occurring | | | | superfood, people think of high antioxidant capacity, |
| non-essential amino acids and amides. | | | | and mango is not quite there. In comparison with |
| The study found that mushrooms are low in calories, | | | | antioxidants in blueberry, acai and pomegranate, it's |
| have no cholesterol and are virtually free of fat and | | | | not even close." |
| sodium. Mushrooms also contain other essential | | | | Talcott noted: "But the team checked mango against |
| minerals like selenium, which works with vitamin E to | | | | cancer cells anyway, and found it prevented or |
| produce antioxidants that neutralise "free radicals" | | | | stopped cancer growth in certain breast and colon |
| which can cause cell damage. | | | | cell lines. |
| Studies have suggested that selenium may reduce | | | | "It has about four to five times less antioxidant |
| the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, it may slow | | | | capacity than an average wine grape, and it still holds |
| the progress of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus | | | | up fairly well in anticancer activity. If you look at it |
| (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) | | | | from the physiological and nutritional standpoint, |
| disease and may aid in symptoms of rheumatoid | | | | taking everything together, it would be a high-ranking |
| arthritis, pancreatitis and asthma. Studies show men | | | | super food. It would be good to include mangoes as |
| who eat selenium rich foods may lower their risk of | | | | part of the regular diet." |
| prostate cancer. | | | | The Talcotts tested mango polyphenol extracts in |
| Potassium, which is widely reputed for being good for | | | | vitro on colon, breast, lung, leukemia and prostate |
| the heart, is also found in mushrooms. It has been | | | | cancers. Polyphenols are natural substances in plants |
| suggested that a diet with potassium may help to | | | | and are associated with a variety of compounds |
| reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. | | | | known to promote good health. |
| Copper is another essential mineral found in | | | | Talcotts said: "Mango showed some impact on lung, |
| mushrooms. Copper aids iron, which is also known for | | | | leukemia and prostate cancers but was most |
| making red blood cells and delivers oxygen to the | | | | effective on the most common breast and colon |
| body. | | | | cancers. What we found is that not all cell lines are |
| Mushrooms also contain three B-Complex vitamins; | | | | sensitive to the same extent to an anticancer agent. |
| riboflavin for healthy skin and vision, niacin that aids | | | | "But the breast and colon cancer lines underwent |
| the digestive and nervous systems, and pantothetic | | | | apotosis, or programmed cell death. Additionally, we |
| acid which helps the nervous system and hormone | | | | found that when we tested normal colon cells side |
| productions. | | | | by side with the colon cancer cells, that the mango |
| Previous studies have suggested that mango possess | | | | polyphenolics did not harm the normal cells." |
| anti-inflammatory, analgesic and hypoglycemic (lowers | | | | The duo did further tests on the colon cancer lines |
| blood sugar) effects in man and mammalian | | | | because a mango contains both small molecules that |
| experimental animals. | | | | are readily absorbed and larger molecules that would |
| Researchers had confirmed the anti-inflammatory, | | | | not be absorbed and thus remain present in a colon. |
| analgesic and anti-diabetic properties of the | | | | She said: "We found the normal cells weren't killed, so |
| stem-bark aqueous extract of mango in rats and | | | | mango is not expected to be damaging in the body. |
| mice. | | | | That is a general observation for any natural agent, |
| An aqueous decoction of mango stem bark (MSB) | | | | that they target cancer cells and leave the healthy |
| has been developed in Cuba on an industrial scale to | | | | cells alone, in reasonable concentrations at least." |
| be used as a nutritional supplement, cosmetic, and | | | | The Talcotts evaluated polyphenolics, and more |
| phytomedicine, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, | | | | specifically gallotannins as being the class of bioactive |
| analgesic, and immunomodulatory properties. | | | | compounds (responsible for preventing or stopping |
| In another study, flavonoids from mango effectively | | | | cancer cells). Tannins are polyphenols that are often |
| reduce lipid levels in serum and tissues of rats induced | | | | bitter or drying and found in such common foods as |
| hyperlipidemia (high blood lipids/fats). | | | | grape seed, wine and tea. |
| Researchers have also shown the protective effect | | | | The study found that the cell cycle, which is the |
| of mango polyphenols on human T lymphocytes | | | | division cells go through, was interrupted. This is |
| (white blood cells) against activation-induced cell | | | | crucial information, Suzanne Talcott said, because it |
| death. The aqueous stem bark extract of mango | | | | indicates a possible mechanism for how the cancer |
| (Vimang) has been reported to have antioxidant | | | | cells are prevented or stopped. |
| properties and prevents cell death in HIV/AIDS. | | | | Talcotts said: "For cells that may be on the verge of |
| Researchers suggest that the different chemical | | | | mutating or being damaged, mango polyphenolics |
| constituents of the plant, especially the polyphenolics, | | | | prevent this kind of damage. From there, if there is |
| flavonoids, triterpenoids, mangiferin, and other | | | | any proven efficacy, then we would do a larger trial |
| chemical compounds present in the plant may be | | | | to see if there is any clinical relevance." |
| involved in the observed anti-inflammatory, analgesic, | | | | The Talcotts hope to do a small clinical trial with |
| and hypoglycemic effects of the plant's extract. | | | | individuals who have increased inflammation in their |
| Also known as "Chinese caterpillar mushroom", | | | | intestines with a higher risk for cancer. |
| "Semitake" and "JinShuBao", the cordyceps | | | | According to The Useful Plants of Tropical West |
| mushroom (usually the cordyceps sinensis variety) | | | | Africa by H. M. Burkill, the bark has astringent |
| has been used in Chinese medicine for many | | | | properties. A macerate is widely taken for diarrhoea |
| centuries to make lung and kidney tonics. | | | | and dysentery in Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and |
| The cordyceps mushroom gained fame when | | | | Congo. In Ivory Coast, a decoction is used as a wash |
| Chinese Olympic athletes in 1992 credited their | | | | for the head in migraine, and is widely used as a |
| successes to taking the mushroom as a supplement. | | | | mouth-wash for the relief of toothache, sore gums, |
| However, although the mushroom-based drug | | | | sore-throat, etc. in Nigeria, and in Congo. This is taken |
| showed great promise, it was quickly degraded in the | | | | in Ivory Coast as a diuretic against urethra discharge. |
| body. It can be given with another drug to combat | | | | A.S. Daba and O.U. Ezeronye of the Division of |
| this - but the second drug can produce side effects | | | | Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Laboratory, |
| that limit its potential use. | | | | Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, |
| As a result, researchers turned their interest to other | | | | Observatory Cape Town, South Africa, have |
| potential candidate drugs, and exactly how | | | | evaluated the anti-tumor activity of mushroom fruit |
| cordycepin worked on the body's cells remained | | | | bodies and mycelial extracts using different cancer |
| unclear. | | | | cell lines. |
| Researcher Dr Cornelia de Moor said: "Our discovery | | | | The study is titled: "Anti-cancer effect of |
| will open up the possibility of investigating the range | | | | polysaccharides isolated fromhigher basidiomycetes |
| of different cancers that could be treated with | | | | mushrooms." |
| cordycepin. It will be possible to predict what types | | | | According to the study published in Minireview, these |
| of cancers might be sensitive and what other cancer | | | | polysaccharide extracts showed potent antitumor |
| drugs it may effectively combine with. It could also | | | | activity against sarcoma 180, mammary |
| lay the groundwork for the design of new cancer | | | | adenocarcinoma 755, leukemia L-1210 and a host of |
| drugs that work on the same principle." | | | | other tumors. The antitumor activity was mainly due |
| The researchers have also developed a method to | | | | to indirect host mediated immunotherapeutic effect. |
| test how effective the drug is in new preparations, | | | | These studies are still in progress in many laboratories |
| and combinations with other drugs, which might solve | | | | and the role of the polysaccharides as |
| the problem of degradation more satisfactorily. | | | | immunopotentiators is especially under intense debate. |
| De Moor said: "This is a great advantage as it will | | | | Indeed, recent investigations has been channeled on |
| allow us to rule out any non-runners before anyone | | | | the development ofimmunotherapy to target and |
| considers testing them in animals." | | | | remove cancer cells as well as on substances such as |
| The Nottingham team observed two effects on the | | | | immunopotentiators, immunoinitiators and biological |
| cells - at a low dose cordycepin inhibits the | | | | response modulators |
| uncontrolled growth and division of the cells, and at | | | | (BRM) that act to prevent carcinogenesis and induce |
| high doses it stops cells from sticking together, which | | | | carcinostasis. Mushrooms belong to this group of |
| also inhibits growth. | | | | immunoceuticals by their mode of action. |
| Both of these effects probably have the same | | | | The researchers wrote: "Mushroom polysaccharides |
| underlying mechanism - that cordycepin interferes | | | | offer a lot of hope for cancer patients and sufferers |
| with how cells make proteins. | | | | of many devastating diseases. A fundamental principle |
| At low doses cordycepin interferes with the | | | | in oriental medicine is to regulate homeostasis of the |
| production of mRNA, the molecule that gives | | | | whole body and to bring the disease person to his or |
| instructions on how to assemble a protein. And at | | | | her normal state. |
| higher doses it has a direct impact on the making of | | | | "A variety of polysaccharides from a number of |
| proteins. | | | | mushroom varieties have been demonstrated to |
| In Chinese medicine, cordyceps has been used | | | | enhance the immune system. All of these have |
| primarily to treat lung problems, specifically given | | | | shown significantantitumour activity as a result of |
| when patients cough up blood or show other signs of | | | | their ability to activate the host immune system |
| lung inflammation. | | | | rather than direct cytotoxicity. The mushroom |
| A study by Taiwanese researchers showed | | | | polysaccharides appear to be well tolerated and |
| cordyceps could be used to reduce lung inflammation | | | | compatible with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. |
| in mice with symptoms of asthma. While cordyceps | | | | "However, studies that identifies the molecular |
| did not prove as effective as two other agents | | | | mechanisms that occur in specific immune modulation |
| (including prednisolone, which is the active ingredient in | | | | by mushroom polysaccharides such as receptors and |
| several anti-asthma medications but whose | | | | what downstream events are triggered by the |
| side-effects can be as serious as inducing diabetes), | | | | binding of these polymers to their target cells are |
| the scientists did show cordyceps could indeed be | | | | urgently needed. |