A blog friend recently sent me a list of substances that he found while doing research on another health-related topic. I am deeply obliged to him (thank you!) for telling me about another funny-sounding but deadly-to-cancer-cells compound: withanolide. Surprise surprise, in 2006 an MD Anderson team made the discovery that withanolides kill MM cells in vitro. The full study, published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, is available online: http://tinyurl.com/2eq3pc The study abstract begins: The plant Withania somnifera Dunal (Ashwagandha), also known as Indian ginseng, is widely used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat tumors, inflammation, arthritis, asthma, and hypertension. Chemical investigation of the roots and leaves of this plant has yielded bioactive withanolides. Earlier studies showed that withanolides inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and proliferation of tumor cells. But even more importantly (for us MMers), in addition to suppressing the nasty COX-2 enzyme, these compounds blocked the activation of NF-kB in human myeloma (U266) cells. Yippee! And I would like to mention that a 2004 study shows that an extract of Withania somnifera inhibited angiogenesis: http://tinyurl.com/ypq58h
A 2003 University of Michigan study (http://tinyurl.com/yqmgxh) tells us that the roots of Withania somnifera are used as a dietary supplement around the world. Furthermore, from what I have read online, Withania somnifera is non-toxic, non-addictive and has no negative side effects (but I should say that I am still looking into this matter). Indeed, a recent study demonstrated that a purified standardized extract of ashwagandha protected the heart from the well-known cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin: http://tinyurl.com/3yjcno And withanolides may also be effective against arthritis, see this June 2007 study: http://tinyurl.com/2vfw7r
The above-mentioned 2006 MD Anderson study concludes: Overall, our results suggest that the antiproliferative, proapoptotic, anti-invasive, antiosteoclastogenic, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, radiosensitizing, antiarthritic, and cardioprotective effects assigned to withanolide may be mediated in part through the suppression of NF-kB and NF-kB-regulated gene products. Did I read anti-osteoclastogenic? Ahhhh, that rings a bell. This is a fascinating study, and not difficult to read, so I would urge all MMers to have a look at it.
Right now I am living in my fantasy world where MMers are killing off their nasty MM cells by taking a mixture of all these non toxic compounds. No horrible side effects, no pain. Some day, some day. Okay, out of my fantasy world and off to visit my kitten next-door now. Expect some photos over the weekend! 😉
Continuing the parallel we have seen in other polyphenols that seem to affect MM, there is evidence that withanolides (ashwagandha) also affect the course and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This is why I have been giving it to my wife now for about six months. Does it help? Can’t tell because she is in late stage and is hard to observe any progress, and I also give her many other things that might help, e.g. curcumin. So can’t always tell which one helps. But collectively I have kept her alive and healthy (except for the A.D.) for 14 years.
But it appears that things that affect these basic molecular pathways like NFKB, can affect many diseases. This gives us ways to find new supplement possibilities by borrowing from other ailments where they have been discovered to do some good. Great job Margaret! Keep digging.