Researchers find cancer-protecting compounds in black raspberries

Researchers have discovered that anthocyanins, a class of flavonols found in black raspberries which have potent antioxidants properties, appear to possess cancer-protecting, or chemopreventive, properties.

Professor Gary D. Stoner and colleagues at the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center fed an anthocyanin-rich extract from black raspberries to rats treated with an esophageal carcinogen. Results showed that the extract inhibited the growth of esophageal cancer and triggered the cell death of cancer cells. The results also showed that the extract was as effective at preventing esophageal cancer in rats as whole black raspberries containing the same concentration of anthocyanins.

"Our data provide strong evidence that anthocyanins are important for cancer prevention," said Professor Stoner. "Now that we know the anthocyanins in berries are almost as active as whole berries themselves, we hope to be able to prevent cancer in humans using a standardized mixture of anthocyanins."

News release: Chemopreventive agents in black raspberries identified. American Association for Cancer Research. January 8th 2009.