Positive Health Online
Your Country
![[Image: http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2836.df7d2315253110ff5b3a566f94871f99.jpg "http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk")
![[Image: http://www.balens.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2148.50367fa908013fae0a7f1a171543ef92.jpg "http://www.balens.co.uk")
![[Image: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/4046.12831f50177f8848ee87b8e94411d6b3.jpg "https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/")
![[Image: http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/1859.1296090fd8385e7ceff51c8011559097.jpg "http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer")
Research: RINNER and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 183
Abstract
RINNER and COLLEAGUES, Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 31, A-8010 Graz, Austria explored, at the molecular level, the anti-cancer properties of Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw) in medullary thyroid cancer.
Background
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare calcitonin-producing tumour, is derived from parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid and is characterized by constitutive Bcl-2 overexpression. The tumour is relatively insensitive to radiation therapy as well as conventional chemotherapy.
Methodology
To date, the only curative treatment is the early and complete surgical removal of all neoplastic tissue. In this study, the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of fractions obtained from Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC, commonly known as una de gato or cat's claw were investigated.
Results
Cell growth of MTC cells as well as enzymatic activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase was markedly inhibited after treatment with different fractions of the plant. Furthermore, there was an increase in the expressions of caspase-3 and -7 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) fraction, while bcl-2 overexpression remained constant. In particular, the alkaloids isopterpodine and pteropodine of U. tomentosa exhibited a significant pro-apoptotic effect on MTC cells, whereas the alkaloid-poor fraction inhibited cell proliferation but did not show any pro-apoptotic effects.
Conclusion
These promising results indicate the growth-restraining and apoptotic potential of plant extracts against neuroendocrine tumours, which may add to existing therapies for cancer.
References
Rinner B, Li ZX, Haas H, Siegl V, Sturm S, Stuppner H and Pfragner R. Antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of Uncaria tomentosa in human medullary thyroid carcinoma cells. Anticancer Research. 29(11): 4519-28. Nov 2009.
Comment
This study illustrates, at the molecular level, promising results demonstrating the anti-cancer properties of Cat's Claw for medullary thyroid cancer.
