In-vitro gastric cancer prevention by a polyphenol-rich extract from olives through induction of apoptosis

In recent years, natural dietary agents have drawn a great deal of attention owing to their demonstrated ability to suppress cancer. We aimed to investigate the in-vitro gastric cancer preventive activity of a methanol extract obtained from table olives of Greek origin. Tested were AGS cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of inflammation. AGS stomach cancer cells were cultured at a density of 105 cells/ml. Methanol extract of olive was added to cultures at concentrations of 2.0,1.6,1.0, and 0.4 μg phenols/ml. Effect on cellular viability was evaluated via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and percentages of early and late apoptotic cells were assayed by annexin V-FITC staining on a FACS scan. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 mRNA and protein production were measured by applying reverse transcriptase-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Olive extract significantly suppressed cell proliferation at 2.0,1.6, and 1.0 μg phenols/ml. Flow cytometric analysis of Annexin-V labeled cells indicated that 2.0 μg phenols/ml significantly induced apoptosis. Similarly, at 2.0,1.6, and 1.0 μg phenols/ ml a significant decrease of ICAM-1 and IL-8 protein levels was observed. ICAM-1, as well as IL-8, mRNA expression were decreased in the presence of 2.0μg phenols/ml. Results indicate that the methanol extract from olives, rich in phenolic compounds, exhibits gastric cancer preventive efficacy by limiting cell proliferation, inducing cell death and suppressing inflammation in AGS cells. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 18:33-39 © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health

A pilot, randomized controlled trial to examine the health outcomes of raisin consumption in patients with diabetes

Objectives: Dried fruits, like their fresh homologues, contain relatively high concentrations of antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the health outcomes of raisin consumption on patients with diabetes. Methods: We examined the effects of dried grapes (Vitis vinifera) cultivated in Greece, namely Corinthian Raisins (CR) on blood pressure, fasting glucose, glucated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid peroxidation, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, antioxidant status, and cytokines in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Forty-eight well-controlled patients with T2DM from the diabetes outpatient clinic of our hospital were recruited to a two-armed, randomized, controlled, 24-wk prospective intervention trial in order to examine the health outcomes of CR consumption. All participants were reported to consume less fruits and vegetables than the recommended amount of five servings daily. Participants in the intervention were instructed to consume CR equal to two fruit servings (36 g/d), replacing snacks with similar energy density twice during the day. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, assessment of dietary intake, and fasting blood draws were conducted at baseline and at week 24. Also, phenolic compounds present in CR were analyzed in plasma of the patients. t Test for parametric data and Mann-Whitney test or Wilcoxon test for non-parametric data were performed. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Body weight, glycemic control, and lipid profile were not affected in either arm. Patients in the CR arm reduced their diastolic blood pressure and increased their total antioxidant potential significantly compared with baseline. The differences between the two groups at week 24 were significant. No change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was observed. A significant difference in plasma circulating p-hydroxybenzoic acid was observed between groups at the end of the trial. Conclusions: Our study shows that naturally CR may improve health features in patients with well-controlled T2DM. © 2014 Elsevier Inc