Again the intense green color becomes a key tool for our health. Now, a team of scientists from the University of Almería (Spain) has shown in “in vitro” tests that rocket and canon extracts damage colon cancer cells and inhibit their growth. The study has been published in the journal Plants Food for Human Nutrition.
The researchers examined the phytochemicals (with liquid chromatography techniques to identify, separate and quantify each of the components) and the antitumor activity of arugula ( Diplotaxis tenuifolia ) and canon ( Valerianella locusta ). After laboratory tests, they discovered that these plants, commonly used in salads or even pizzas, contain effective bioactive compounds for the prevention of colon or colorectal cancer.
Previous studies had already revealed the beneficial effects of including arugula and canon in the diet (for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases …) However, the compounds that caused these positive consequences had not yet been fully explored. The current work is thus the first analysis that specifies the composition of fatty acids, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, sterols and glucosinolates of both plant species.
What effect does each plant have
Arugula extracts induce damage to cancer cells, leading to death at low concentrations.
The canon extracts induce a reduction in the number of tumor cells, although in a somewhat less palpable way than with arugula.
And we must not forget the subsequent “in vitro” experiments: “After a large number of tests, we have found that there is an inhibition of growth and damage to the membranes of cancer cells. We have also grown normal colon cells, which are unaffected by such extracts at the concentrations checked. In sum, the phytochemicals of these plants act selectively against colon cancer cells but not against normal colon cells ”, explains José Luis Guil Guerrero, leader of the study.
