Scientists have discovered that an extract from grape seeds may help destroy leukaemia cells.
Researchers from the University of Kentucky, USA, say that the grape seed extract activates a protein that forces laboratory leukaemia cells to undergo cell suicide, or apoptosis.
Dr Xianglin Shi and colleagues report in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, that 76 per cent of leukaemia cells die within 24 hours of being exposed to a commercially-available grape seed extract.
The effect is due to the activation of JNK, a protein that regulates apoptosis. When the cells were treated with an agent that inhibits JNK, the extract was ineffective. Normal cells are unaffected, but the researchers are not sure why they are protected.
Previously, grape seed extract has shown promise against several types of cancer including breast and skin cancer cells. This is the first time it has been tested in haematological cancers, which also include lymphoma and myeloma.
Dr Shi said: "This is a natural compound that appears to have relatively important properties. What everyone seeks is an agent that has an effect on cancer cells but leaves normal cells alone, and this shows that grape seed extract fits into this category.
"These results could have implications for the incorporation of agents such as grape seed extract into prevention or treatment of hematological malignancies and possibly other cancers."
But Dr Shi points out that the findings so far do not support the advice to eat grapes, grape seeds, or grape skin in an effort to avoid cancer. "This is very promising research, but it is too early to say this is chemo-protective."
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