Aronia Juice Effectively Boosts Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer
The juice increases the effectiveness of pancreatic cancer treatment, according to studies.
Researchers studied the effects of aronia extract on pancreatic cancer cells.
In the laboratory, these cells were subjected to chemotherapy, aronia extract, and a combination of both. Adding the juice to the chemotherapy drug increased its effectiveness, slowing the growth of cancer cells.
At the same time, the study’s result is promising for all cancer patients, especially those with pancreatic cancer. This type of cancer is known for its high mortality rate, as well as for the resistance of cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Antioxidants are essential
The fruits are known for their high antioxidant content. The shrub, found in North America, is used for the production of food supplements. Due to its high antioxidant content, it has beneficial effects on health, one of the most important being increased immunity.
Studies have focused on the use of antioxidant substances called polyphenols, found in fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols have the ability to support apoptosis, the programmed death of cells, in the case of cancer cells. Past research has shown that certain polyphenols, including those contained in this aronia juice, have anti-cancer properties in malignant brain tumors.
Experiments involved various concentrations of aronia extract
To test the effects of this fruit’s extract on pancreatic cancer cells obtained in the laboratory, researchers tried several methods to observe the growth rate of these cells. Typical drugs for pancreatic cancer treatment, different concentrations of extract, and a combination of extract and drugs were used. Research was also conducted on how the juice leads to the death of cancer cells and at what concentration. For the control test, the effect of the extract on healthy cells, taken from the umbilical cord, was observed. This type of cell is often used in laboratory research. Tests have shown that the most effective method to destroy cancer cells is to use a combination of the drug and aronia extract. Furthermore, the higher the concentration of aronia in this mixture, the more effective the treatment.
Also, healthy cells in the control test were not affected by this fruit.
Aronia juice, part of pancreatic cancer treatment
Researchers concluded that the extract from this fruit and other micronutrients should be considered as adjuncts in cancer treatment. Elements of the extract may have supra-additive effects when used in combination with conventional drugs.
This study is not the only one showing that aronia successfully supports chemotherapy treatment.
Another study shows that it can slow the growth of cancer cells in colon cancer. The effects of antioxidants from grapes and blueberries have also been studied. Among the three fruits, the extract from this fruit was observed to have the highest chemopreventive potential (preventing disease progression) against colon cancer.
Other research on the potential of plant antioxidants to prevent breast cancer has shown that the extract from this fruit can reduce cell damage.
The beneficial effects of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables, including the reduction of the risk of certain types of cancer, are currently known. Studies on aronia juice prove once again the benefits of supplementing the diet with antioxidant-rich fruits as part of a healthy diet.