Black Garlic Extract Shows Promise Against Prostate Cancer

Author: University of Córdoba
Published: 2024/10/17 - Updated: 2024/10/18
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Experimental Study
Topic: Herbalism and Herbs - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: This article on black garlic and prostate cancer highlights a potential natural remedy for a widespread health concern. Researchers from the University of Nottingham have discovered that aged black garlic extract shows promise in slowing the growth of prostate cancer cells. This finding is particularly noteworthy as prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and the study suggests a possible dietary intervention that could complement existing treatments. The research also demonstrates how traditional foods, when processed differently, can unlock new health benefits, potentially opening avenues for further exploration in cancer prevention and treatment strategies - Disabled World (DW).

Defining Black Garlic

Black Garlic: Black garlic is a unique culinary ingredient that results from a carefully controlled aging process of regular garlic (Allium sativum). This process, which originated in East Asia, transforms the garlic's appearance, texture, and flavor profile. The creation of black garlic involves subjecting whole garlic bulbs or individual cloves to specific environmental conditions. Typically, the optimal conditions are 70 °C with 85% humidity for about 40 days. This process is entirely natural, requiring no additives or preservatives. During the aging process, garlic undergoes significant changes to its color, texture, flavor, and odor. These changes are primarily attributed to the Maillard reaction, a chemical process that occurs between amino acids and reducing sugars.

Introduction

The Protective Effects of an Aged Black Garlic Water Extract on the Prostate

A team at the University of Cordoba and IMIBIC tests the protective effect of a fermented black garlic extract against inflammation and the progression of prostate cancer in a study conducted on human prostate cancer cell models in the laboratory.

Main Item

Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death due to cancer in men in Spain. It may progress from benign hyperplasia (growth of the prostate) to localized prostate cancer, or to metastatic castration-resistant cancer, for which few drugs are available.

The OncObesity and Metabolism group formed by research staff at the University of Córdoba and the city's Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute (IMIBIC) studies the antitumor effects of beneficial natural compounds that can be included in diets and act against different types of cancer.

Researchers Raúl M. Luque, María Loreta Libero, and Antonio J. Montero recently studied the beneficial effects of a fermented black garlic extract on prostate cancer cells. Taking into account a previous experiment in mice in which the extract was found to have anti-inflammatory characteristics, and considering the important role of inflammation in prostate cancer, they decided to evaluate its effect on cellular models of human prostate cancer.

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A black garlic bulb with an opened clove showing the internal black color. A bag of organic black garlic is in the background with the product label in French and English.

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"We tested the extract in different human prostate cancer cell models, and found that it was capable of reducing various tumor aggressiveness parameters, including cell proliferation," explained researcher Antonio Montero. "We also found that it did not affect normal prostate cells."

In this way, he indicated, this compound could be administered as a dietary supplement without potentially negative effects on healthy prostate cells.

The group's principal investigator, Raúl Luque, explained how, after demonstrating the compound's anticancer effects, "we wanted to know which molecular pathways were affected by use of the compound, and we were able to verify that key signaling pathways in cancer were altered, including those related to inflammation. The treatment decreases the inflammatory environment that you can see in this type of cancer." The extract was more effective and was able to produce more changes when the cells were in a pro-inflammatory environment. The local inflammation could be related to the aggressiveness of the cancer, and the fact that this extract acts on it could be due to its reduced aggressiveness after the extract treatment.

According to Luque:

"Everything indicates that this compound could be a very good option to avert some of the adverse events that occur in patients who are going to progress to a more complex and aggressive stage of prostate cancer."

To ascertain the preventive effect of this compound, the following steps would involve conducting a pilot study in people with a family history of prostate cancer, or continuing with a clinical study in patients who already have it, administering this compound to evaluate whether the cancer's progress can be decelerated or stopped.

Reference

Libero, M.L.; Montero-Hidalgo, A.J.; Recinella, L.; Luque, R.M.; Generali, D.; Acquaviva, A.; Orlando, G.; Ferrante, C.; Menghini, L.; Di Simone, S.C.; et al. The Protective Effects of an Aged Black Garlic Water Extract on the Prostate. Nutrients 2024, 16, 3025.

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Córdoba and published on 2024/10/17, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, University of Córdoba can be contacted at uco.es/internacional/extranjeros/en/ NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.