New research on a natural formula for prostate cancer

Dr. Geo's Natural Health Blog


 New research on a natural formula for prostate cancer

ProstaCaid™ (PC), a dietary supplement for prostate health, contains mycelium from medicinal mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum, Coriolus versicolor, Phellinus linteus), saw palmetto berry, pomegranate, pumpkin seed, green tea [40% epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)], Japanese knotweed (50% resveratrol), extracts of turmeric root (BCM-95®), grape skin, pygeum bark, sarsaparilla root, Scutellaria barbata, eleuthero root, Job’s tears, astragalus root, skullcap, dandelion, coptis root, broccoli, and stinging nettle, with purified vitamin C, vitamin D3, selenium, quercetin, citrus bioflavonoid complex, β sitosterolzinc, lycopene, α lipoic acid, boron, berberine and 3.3′-diinodolymethane (DIM).



A study published at the International Journal of Oncology demonstrated that PC treatment resulted in the inhibition of cell proliferation of the highly invasive human hormone refractory (independent) PC-3 prostate cancer cells . DNA-microarray analysis demonstrated that PC inhibits proliferation through the modulation of expression of CCND1, CDK4, CDKN1A, E2F1, MAPK6 and PCNA genes. In addition, PC also suppresses metastatic behavior of PC-3 by the inhibition of cell adhesion, cell migration and cell invasion, which was associated with the down-regulation of expression of CAV1, IGF2, NR2F1, and PLAU genes and suppressed secretion of the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) from PC-3 cells.



In lay language, this combination of natural agents have positive effects in suppressing certain cancer cell genes and the PC3 prostate cancer cell line in test tubes. PC3 are hormone independent prostate cancer cells with high metastatic potential.







My take on this





It is always gratifying to see scientific research on natural agents. Many natural supplement companies boast of the benefits of their product without any scientific backing. Several agents in ProstaCaid™ have independently shown to have anti-cancer properties, eg. DIM, EGCG, pomegranate, etc. In traditional herbal medicine, there is synergistic value in combining herbal agents to enhance its overall therapeutic effect. With Prostacaid, the whole formula may be of better value than each ingredient independently.



We will have to observe future studies in animal and human research trials to better understand how this product may help men with prostate cancer.



In Optimal Health,





Dr. Geo





Source: Jiang J, Eliaz, I, Sliva D: Suppression of growth and invasive behavior of human prostate cancer cells by ProstaCaid™: Mechanism of activity. Int J Oncol.2011, Published online April 4, 2011