Active compounds in green tea may slow down the progression of prostate cancer, researchers reported recently.
Capsules made using green tea extracts called polyphenols lowered levels of proteins that tumors use to grow, the researchers found.
Made by Polyphenon Pharma, the capsules called Polyphenon E contain epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, a green tea extract that has antioxidant properties.
Jim Cardelli of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport and colleagues tested 26 prostate cancer patients, aged from 41 to 68.
Each took four Polyphenon E capsules a day — equivalent to drinking 12 cups of green tea — for about a month before they had their prostates removed.
Blood tests showed levels of three proteins associated with the growth and spread of prostate cancer fell. Hepatocyte growth factor or HGF fell 18.9 percent on average, vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF fell by 9.9 percent and prostate specific antigen PSA fell by 10.4 percent, they reported in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.
The test in 26 prostate cancer patients was a small trial and bigger studies would be needed to confirm the results.
Source: The Daily Star, June 27, 2009
