AGFD 17 |
| Most therapeutic drugs are derived originally from plants. Furthermore, beneficial properties of plants extend far beyond their sources of nutrients and energy as new roles are constantly being defined for phytochemicals. Plant scientists are seeking to increase concentrations of these phytochemicals and to identify new agents. Our laboratory has focused on garlic, whose therapeutic properties have been utilized since antiquity. Extracts of garlic inhibit human breast, colon and prostate cancer in cell-free systems and in tumors transplanted to animals. In early stage androgen-responsive human prostate cancer, garlic compounds accelerate disappearance of testosterone. At later stages, garlic regulates signal transduction and other intracellular processes. Supporting results come from epidemiological reports that increased garlic consumption relates to reduced incidence of prostate cancer. Current studies are determining which garlic derivatives are most active and bioavailable. Future advances will require close collaboration of plant scientists with their medical colleagues to identify and evaluate new agents for disease prevention.
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Plant Genomics
1:00 PM-3:15 PM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 BCEC -- 255, Oral
Division of Agricultural & Food Chemistry |