Green Tea Component Is Potent Killer of Prostate Cancer Cells
Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a plant substance in green tea that is a potent killer of prostate cancer cells. The researchers, led by Charles Y-F. Young, Ph.D., tested four common components of green tea on three different prostate cancer cell cultures. One of them, called EGCG, was found to be the most potent in inhibiting cell growth.
Dr. Young says this is a promising laboratory finding which is now being taken to the next level. The research team is now testing whether EGCG can reduce the development of cancers in a new, special strain of mice bred with prostate cancer. If results continue to be promising, the next step would be trials in humans. Dr. Young said that the chemical structure of EGCG is very similar to that of components found in red wine and other vegetables. He said plans are to also test the effectiveness of some of these related compounds in fighting prostate cancer.
The incidence of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in American males, is considerably lower in Asian countries than in the West. One reason advanced for this high incidence is the high consumption of plant foods in Asia. A number of laboratory studies have shown that green tea, one of the most widely used foods, has anti-tumor effects. The Mayo Clinic report, in the journal Cancer Letters, is the first evidence that EGCG is the active ingredient that kills prostate cancer cells.
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