Citrin®K:
The existence of a definite positive correlation between dietary fat intake and certain cancers has been demonstrated by numerous researchers. It is also recognized that the rate of lipid synthesis in tumor cells is quite rapid. An interesting preliminary study with Sabinsa's Citrin®K (the potassium salt of (-) hydroxycitric acid isolated from the fruit of Garcinia cambogia) has shown that this product decreases lipid synthesis in tumor cells in a concentration dependent manner. The following mechanisms of action are proposed:
- Citrin®K blocks de novo synthesis of all cholesterol intermediates including Acetyl CoA, glutamine and Farnesyl PP. Farnesyl PP has been implicated as a factor promoting cell proliferation1
- Citrin®K blocks tumor cell proliferation by reducing the supply of precursor for the enzyme fatty acid synthase. Elevated levels of fatty acid synthase are expressed in many human and experimental cancers
Since Citrin®K is already in use as a food supplement, its potential as a cancer fighting functional food ingredient merits further investigation.
BMOV:
The antineoplastic effects of vanadium in mice have previously been demonstrated. A recent study has confirmed the antineoplastic effects of vanadium, in the form of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (BMOV), in human tumor cell lines. These effects were shown to be dependent upon the prolonged exposure of the tumor cells to the compound2.
In view of similarity to BMOV, the BGOV (bis(glycinato)oxovanadium) offered by Sabinsa Corporation would also be an effective antineoplastic agent.
References:
- Goldstein, J.I.. & Brown M.,S. (1990). Nature, 343:425-430
- Jackson, J.K. et al (1997). Brit. J. of cancer, 75:1014-1020