Grape Seed Extract May Kill Cancer Cells

AURORA, Colo.An active ingredient in grape seed extract, B2G2, has been shown to fight against cancer cells, according to a study published in Nutrition and Cancer.

Researchers from the University of Colorado Cancer Center demonstrated that B2G2 compound induces cell death in prostate cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

 Weve shown similar anti-cancer activity in the past with grape seed extract but now we know B2G2 is its most biologically active ingredient which can be synthesized in quantities that will allow us to study the detailed death mechanism in cancer cells," said Alpna Tyagi, Ph.D., University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The group has spent more than a decade demonstrating the anti-cancer activity of grape seed extract in controlled, laboratory conditions, but until recently, "we didn't know which constituent of GSE created this effect," Tyagi said.

Further research will increase the understanding of B2G2 mechanisms preparing the team for preclinical and clinical trials in the future.

Previous grape seed reasearch has been shown to maintain healthy blood pressure.