A new study suggests that grape skin and red wine could treat several types of cancers due to high levels of resveratrol compound.
Resveratrol is a plant compound known to have antioxidant properties which can help protect the body from cardiovascular diseases and several types of cancers. It can be found on red grapes, peanuts, and berries.
A group of researchers from the University Of Missouri School Of Medicine led by assistant professor Michael Nicholi tested the belief that resveratrol can be beneficial to cancer patients. They treated two melanoma cell lines in a laboratory test to see the effect of resveratrol.
Their findings revealed that resveratrol is able to kill 44 percent of the tumor cells when applied alone. When combined with radiation treatment, the success rate jumped to 65 percent.
Despite the seemingly successful study, the researchers admitted that they will need a bigger study to prove the accuracy of their tests. They also clarified that the compound is only effective on minor melanoma cases and should not be expected to have the same result on more advanced conditions.
"Because of difficulties involved in delivery of adequate amounts of resveratrol to melanoma tumors, the compound is probably not an effective treatment for advanced melanoma at this time," Nicholi wrote in the paper.
They also need to determine how to apply the compound and use it to treat several types of cancers. One of the ideas they have is to combine it with the existing radiation treatments used to treat cancer patients.
... we envision resveratrol could be combined with radiation to treat symptomatic metastatic tumors, which can develop in the brain or bone."
They are also thinking of creating a resveratrol drug once their succeeding studies show consistent results of effectiveness when used even without radiation. It will take years before the compound can be used by the cancer patients as it will need more studies and clinical trials.
The study was published in the Journal of Surgical Research.
