![\"Oregano](\"http:\/\/pilatesfitness.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Oregano-fresh-small.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCarvacrol<\/strong> – most studied compound in oregano oil<\/p>\n Carvacrol (cymophenol) is a monoterpenic phenol that has been referenced in several scientific research studies as a powerful antibacterial agent against pathogenic fungi, yeast\u00a0and bacteria as well as human, animal and plant pathogenic micro-organisms including drug-resistant and bio-film\u00a0forming micro-organisms [1,2]. It is present in Thymus vulgaris, Carum copticum, origanum and oregano essential oils [3].<\/p>\n Studies have shown anti-tumor effects of carvacrol on human metastatic breast cancer cells, MDA-MB 231, indicating that the compound could have a potential therapeutic significance in treating cancer [4].<\/p>\n At the Experimental Biology 2012 conference, held April 21 to 25 in San Diego, it was reported that carvacrol, a compound found in oregano, induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cultured prostate cancer cells [5]. Apoptosis is programmed cell death, something that occurs naturally in “healthy cells” but does not happen in\u00a0cancer cells, leading to an uncontrolled cell growth and cancer development.<\/p>\n Dr Supriya Bavadekar, PhD, RPh and her colleagues at Long Island University in Brooklyn administered increasing concentrations of carvacrol to androgen-sensitive metastatic human prostate cancer cells and assessed cell viability after 48 and 96 hours. The team observed a dose-dependent effect for carvacrol, due to the induction of apoptosis. The study is the first to reveal an antiproliferative effect for the compound in prostate cancer cells.<\/p>\n “We know that oregano possesses antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties, but its effects on cancer cells really elevate the spice to the level of a super-spice like turmeric,” stated Dr Bavadekar (assistant professor of pharmacology at Long Island University’s Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences). Oregano is an spice regularly used in\u00a0culinary recipes, pizza and even an important part of the Mediterranean diet, considered in general as safe.<\/p>\n “Some researchers have previously shown that eating pizza may cut down cancer risk,” she noted. “This effect has been mostly attributed to lycopene, a substance found in tomato sauce, but we now feel that even the oregano seasoning may play a role. Dr. Bavadekar said that the initial data indicates “a huge potential in terms of carvacrol\u2019s use as an anti-cancer\u00a0agent”, and \u201cIf the study continues to yield positive results, this super-spice may represent a very promising\u00a0therapy for patients with prostate cancer,\u201d.<\/p>\n Apigenin<\/strong> –\u00a0 another compound of oregano<\/p>\n Oregano also contains other anti-tumour compounds, such as apigenin [6,7].<\/p>\n Apigenin is a natural flavonoid found in many herbs and fruits, as for example Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). Other\u00a0apigenin food sources include apples, celery and also some spices as oregano, tarragon, cilantro, basil, parsley,\u00a0onions, oranges, tea, chamomile and wheat sprouts. Other herbs as endives and cloves have also a considerable\u00a0amount of this active constituent.<\/p>\n Oregano Also Kills Norovirus!<\/strong><\/p>\n Oregano oil and carvacrol have also been shown to be effective against norovirus (MNV)\u00a0 by inactivating it within 1 h of exposure. Carvacrol has therefore potential as a natural food and surface (fomite) sanitizer to control human norovirus [8].<\/p>\n Flavonoids Reduce Cancer Risk in General<\/strong><\/p>\n Recent studies on different types of flavonoids and the benefits of a high dietary intake of fruits and vegetables\u00a0suggest that the intake of fruits and vegetables rich in certain types of flavonoids, mainly apigenin, epigallocatechin\u00a0gallate, delphinidin and genistein appear to be associated with a lower incidence and risk of cancer [9].<\/p>\n CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n Oregano, with its various compounds, has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour compounds.<\/p>\n Prostate cancer is generally very slow-growing, so the recent trend is to opt for surveillance for many patients rather than have immediate treatment [10]. With oregano compounds having been shown to be anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and to induce apoptosis of tumour cells, you could do worse than add oregano to your diet whether you are male or female.<\/p>\n High intake of fruit and vegetables rich in flavonoids appear to seem to be protective against cancer. Yet another reason to eat more fruit and vegetables!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n Oregano compound induces programmed cell death in cancer cells Carvacrol – most studied compound in oregano oil Carvacrol (cymophenol) is a monoterpenic phenol that has been referenced in several scientific research studies as a powerful antibacterial agent against pathogenic fungi, … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n[1] Use of rosemary, oregano, and a commercial blend of essential oils in broiler chickens: in vitro antimicrobial activities and effects on growth performance. Mathlouthi N, Bouzaienne T, Oueslati I, Recoquillay F, Hamdi M, Urdaci M, Bergaoui R. Department of Animal Production, Ecole Sup\u00e9rieure d’Agriculture du Kef, University of Jendouba, 7119 Le Kef, Tunisia, France.<\/h6>\n
[2] Antimicrobial activity of carvacrol: current progress and future prospectives. Nostro A, Papalia T. Pharmaco-Biological Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Messina, Italy.<\/h6>\n
[3] Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect of carvacrol on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG-2. Yin QH, Yan FX, Zu XY, Wu YH, Wu XP, Liao MC, Deng SW, Yin LL, Zhuang YZ. Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People’s Republic of China.<\/h6>\n
[4] Anti-proliferative effects of carvacrol on a human metastatic breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB 231. Arunasree, KM. Phytomedicine.<\/a> 2010 Jul;17(8-9):581-8. doi: 10.1016\/j.phymed.2009.12.008. Epub 2010 Jan 22. http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20096548<\/h6>\n
[5] Long Island University Press Release.<\/h6>\n
[6] Apigenin Attenuates Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Signaling in an Autochthonous Mouse Prostate Cancer Model. Shukla S, Maclennan GT, Fu P, Gupta S. Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, 2109 Adelbert Road, Wood Research Tower, RTG01, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA.<\/h6>\n
[7] Plant flavone apigenin inhibits HDAC and remodels chromatin to induce growth arrest and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: In vitro and in vivo study. Pandey M, Kaur P, Shukla S, Abbas A, Fu P, Gupta S. Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.<\/h6>\n
[8] Antiviral efficacy and mechanisms of action of oregano essential oil and its primary component carvacrol against murine norovirus. Gilling DH, Kitajima M, Torrey JR, Bright KR. J Appl Microbiol. 2014 May;116(5):1149-63. doi: 10.1111\/jam.12453. Epub 2014 Feb 12. http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/24779581<\/h6>\n
[9] Anticancer properties of flavonoids: roles in various stages of carcinogenesis. Clere N, Faure S, Martinez MC, Andriantsitohaina R. INSERM UMR U694, Universit\u00e9 d’Angers, Angers, France.<\/h6>\n
[10] http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/health\/news\/10557588\/Thousands-of-prostate-cancer-patients-told-to-avoid-treatment.html
\n<\/h6>\n[11 ] http:\/\/www.herbcyclopedia.com\/item\/oregano-active-constituent-kills-prostate-cancer-cells-2<\/p>\n
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