Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Extraction and Purification of Polyphenols from Freeze-dried Berry Powder for the Treatment of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro
12:00

Extraction and Purification of Polyphenols from Freeze-dried Berry Powder for the Treatment of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro

Published on: July 5, 2017

Anticancer effects of four varieties of muscadine grape

Jason M God1, Patricia Tate, Lyndon L Larcom

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 39634, USA.

Journal of Medicinal Food
|May 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Muscadine grape extracts show significant potential as natural anticarcinogenic agents. These extracts effectively neutralize harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibit cancer-causing mutations, and block key enzymes involved in cancer metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Carcinogenesis initiates with somatic mutations, followed by accumulation of additional mutations during disease progression.
  • Mutations arise from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and environmental factors, while metastasis involves matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
  • Potential anticarcinogenic compounds should neutralize ROS, inhibit mutagenesis, and block MMP activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the anticarcinogenic potential of muscadine grape extracts.
  • To investigate the effects of muscadine grape pomace extracts on mutagenesis, ROS, and MMP activity.
  • To explore the utility of discarded muscadine grape pomace as a source of anticarcinogenic compounds.

Main Methods:

  • Four varieties of muscadine grape pomace water extracts were prepared.
  • Extracts were tested for their ability to inhibit mutagenesis induced by 2-aminoanthracene (a carcinogen) and methyl methanesulfonate (a mutagen).
  • Antioxidant activity and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) were assayed for each extract.

Main Results:

  • All four muscadine grape extracts demonstrated significant inhibition of 2-aminoanthracene-induced mutagenesis.
  • The extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity.
  • All extracts effectively inhibited the activity of both MMP-2 and MMP-9.
  • Two extracts showed limited effect on mutagenesis by the direct-acting mutagen methyl methanesulfonate.

Conclusions:

  • Muscadine grape extracts possess significant anticarcinogenic properties due to their antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and MMP-inhibiting activities.
  • Pomace water extracts from muscadine grapes are a promising source for isolating compounds that can inhibit carcinogenesis.
  • Further research into specific compounds and their mechanisms is warranted.

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...