FRUIT ANTIOXIDANTS from the Australian bush fruit, PLUM PINE or ILLAWARRA PLUM (Podocarpus elatus, Podocarpaceae) show ANTIOXIDANT capacity at levels higher than seen in most fruits. The fruits have been eaten traditionally for their many health benefits, including prevention of cancer development. Illawarra Plum has a high content of pigment molecules made of anthocyanin-rich phenolics. Studies have shown that Illawarra plum extract is able to reduce the proliferation of colon cancer cells by altering the cell cycle, increasing apoptosis and possibly inducing autophagy. Molecular studies of the anti-proliferative activity of Illawarra plum on colorectal cancer cells have been conducted and show that Illawarra plum had anti-proliferative properties in only the cancer cells, with growth suppressed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptosis is one of the most critical forms of defense against cancer. The induction of apoptosis by Illawarra plum polyphenols represents significant potential for cancer preventive activity and provides an alternative chemoprevention strategy. Podocarpus elatus is a native to the east coast of Australia, in eastern New South Wales and eastern Queensland. It is a medium-sized to large evergreen tree. The leaves are lanceolate. The seed cones are dark blue-purple, berry-like, with a fleshy base bearing a single oval or globose seed. Sources: Netzel M, Netzel G, Tian Q, Schwartz S, Konczak I. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Dec 27; 54(26):9820-6. Sources of antioxidant activity in Australian native fruits. Identification and quantification of anthocyanins. Symonds EL, Konczak I, Fenech M., Br J Nutr. 2013 Jun 28;109(12):2117-25. The Australian fruit Illawarra plum (Podocarpus elatus Endl., Podocarpaceae) inhibits telomerase, increases histone deacetylase activity and decreases proliferation of colon cancer cells. Tan AC, Konczak I, Ramzan I, Sze DM. Nutr Cancer. 2011; 63(3):444-55. Native Australian fruit polyphenols inhibit cell viability and induce apoptosis in human cancer cell lines. Tan AC, Konczak I, Ramzan I, Zabaras D, Sze DM. Nutr Cancer. 2011; 63(7):1074-84. Potential antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and proapoptotic anticancer activities of Kakadu plum and Illawarra plum polyphenolic fractions.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:56:09 +0000
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