Ginger, Chamomile, and Green Tea Extracts Impact Prostate Cancer Cells

Jenn Hoskins
24th August, 2024

Ginger, Chamomile, and Green Tea Extracts Impact Prostate Cancer Cells

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by researchers from the University of Sadat City, Egypt, and Al-Mustaqbal University, Iraq, explored the effects of ginger, chamomile, and green tea extracts on prostate cancer cells
  • Ginger extract showed the highest cytotoxic effect on PC-3 prostate cancer cells, leading to increased cell damage
  • Ginger extract influenced autophagy markers and pro-apoptotic pathways, suggesting it can promote cancer cell death
  • Treatment with ginger extract significantly increased inflammatory cytokines, indicating a potential to enhance immune response against cancer
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide, making it crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms behind its growth and death. A recent study by researchers from the University of Sadat City, Egypt, and Al-Mustaqbal University, Iraq, investigates the potential of using plant extracts as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach to treat PCa[1]. The study focused on three plant extracts: ginger, chamomile, and green tea, which were solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The researchers employed several techniques, including MTT assay, ELISA, and qRT-PCR, to assess the impact of these extracts on PC-3 prostate cancer cells. The findings revealed that ginger extract exhibited a significant cytotoxic effect on PC-3 cells, surpassing the effects of chamomile and green tea extracts. Specifically, ginger treatment led to a notable increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production, an enzyme released during cell damage, indicating higher cytotoxicity. Autophagy, a process where cells degrade and recycle their own components, plays a crucial role in cancer progression and response to chemotherapy. The study found that ginger extract influenced the expression levels of autophagy markers LC3B and ATg12, as well as pro-apoptotic signaling pathways, including Caspase-3. Caspase-3 is an essential enzyme in the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which is often dysregulated in cancer cells[2]. Moreover, the ELISA results showed a significant increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8 after 12 hours of ginger extract treatment. Cytokines are signaling molecules that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation. This suggests that ginger extract can modulate the immune response, potentially enhancing its anticancer effects. The study's findings align with previous research on the anticancer properties of phytochemicals. For instance, phytochemicals have been shown to modulate autophagy and apoptosis, crucial processes in cancer development and regulation[2]. By targeting these pathways, naturally derived compounds like ginger can complement conventional cancer therapies. Additionally, the role of autophagy in cancer and its interplay with other cellular processes has been a subject of recent interest. Dysregulation of autophagy has been linked to various diseases, including cancer[3]. The current study adds to this body of knowledge by demonstrating that ginger extract can influence autophagy markers and pro-apoptotic signaling in PCa cells, providing a potential new avenue for therapeutic intervention. Interestingly, the study's findings on green tea extract also resonate with earlier research. Green tea, particularly its component (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been shown to affect cancer cell growth by altering membrane organization and downregulating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in colon cancer cells[4]. While the current study did not find green tea extract to be as effective as ginger in PCa cells, it underscores the diverse mechanisms through which plant extracts can exert anticancer effects. In conclusion, the study by the University of Sadat City and Al-Mustaqbal University highlights the potential of ginger extract as a viable and safe option for treating prostate cancer. By modulating autophagy and inflammatory cytokine production, ginger extract offers a promising approach to controlling cancer progression. This research paves the way for further exploration of plant-based therapies in cancer treatment, providing a complementary strategy to conventional chemotherapy.

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References

Main Study

1) Effect of ginger, chamomile, and green tea extracts on prostate cancer cells.

Published 23rd August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgeb.2024.100395

Related Studies

2) Recent advance of herbal medicines in cancer- a molecular approach.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13684

3) Autophagy Regulation by the Translation Machinery and Its Implications in Cancer.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.00322

4) (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate downregulates EGF receptor via phosphorylation at Ser1046/1047 by p38 MAPK in colon cancer cells.

https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgp166


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