HI everyone, it looks like I can post this press release now so here it is------------------
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University of Minnesota research finds kava plant may prevent cigarette-induced lung cancer
MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL (EMBARGOED UNTIL 11:05 PM CST JANUARY 7, 2014) – New research from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Masonic Cancer Center has found that consumption of the root of Piper methysticum or kava, a plant native to the South Pacific Islands, may prevent the development of tobacco smoke-induced lung cancer.
In addition, the research team identified the naturally occurring components of kava that appear responsible for all the cancer-preventative benefits. By using a patent-pending blend of these active kava ingredients, the research team was also able to avoid liver damage, a rare side effect previously associated with various commercially available kava-containing dietary supplements.
The findings are published ahead-of-print today in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.
In the latest study, the University of Minnesota research team found daily consumption of a kava-derived dietary supplement prevented the formation of 99 percent of tumors in a mouse lung tumorigenesis model that is routinely used in predicting lung cancer behavior in humans. The unprecedented level of tumor prevention was coupled with the finding that some mice developed no tumors at all. DNA damage resulting from tobacco carcinogens was also significantly reduced by way of prevention, providing a clue to what is potentially behind kava’s effectiveness.
The findings open up the future possibility of doctors recommending or prescribing kava-derived products in the form of dietary supplements or drugs for current tobacco smokers to reduce their risk of developing lung cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer13-fold for women and 23-fold for men.
The research may also help explain the low rate of cancer incidence where kava is traditionally consumed. Rates of cancer in the South Pacific Islands of Vanuatu, Fiji and Western Samoa are dramatically lower than those in countries with no kava consumption. Similarly, despite tobacco smoking rates comparable to those of the U.S., the occurrence of lung cancer in Fiji is just 5 to 10 percent of the United States lung cancer occurrence rate.
However, not all commercially available kava products are equal and many of those on the market may carry a risk of liver injury depending on their composition and how they are used.
In Europe, where kava had been routinely used to treat anxiety, kava products were temporarily pulled from the market after being linked to severe liver problems. Many factors have been hypothesized as having contributed to the rare occurrence of liver problems, and although a definitive cause has not been identified, current products in the market typically carry a liver injury warning.
“Our research team had also been working on identifying the source of the liver issues previously associated with current kava preparations. Based on preliminary data, we believe we've identified the kava components that contribute to the adverse liver effects and those substances are found in most if not all currently available kava products including the versions of kava used in traditional practices. This research allowed us to develop formulations which do not contain those substances yet retain all the cancer prevention benefits without liver toxicity issues. In fact, we are currently planning to pursue clinical trials with a number of patent-pending dietary supplement kava formulations.” said Chengguo Xing, Ph.D., an associate professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and a member of Masonic Cancer Center. "In the meantime, I would be hesitant to recommend that consumers start using currently available kava-containing dietary supplements in hopes of receiving cancer prevention benefits. Although occasional use of current kava-containing supplements likely has a low risk of liver injury, these products are not well suited for chronic and daily administration.”
In addition to developing safer kava formulations for the dietary supplement market, the team is also pursuing development of kava-derived drugs that may aid in both the prevention and treatment of various cancers including tobacco smoke-induced lung cancer.
Lastly, the findings from these studies may be good news for Hawaii, as the climate and soil in that State are uniquely suited to grow kava. Hawaii had previously served as one of the largest sources of commercially available kava before concerns over liver toxicity resulted in decreased demand. Resurgence in kava popularity would provide a significant economic boost to that State's economy.
Scientists collaborating in this research include lead authors Pablo Leitzman and Sreekanth Narayanapillai in the U of M College of Pharmacy (Chengguo Xing Group), and their peers in the U of M Masonic Cancer Center (Stephen Hecht Group), U of M College of Veterinary Medicine (M. Gerry O’Sullivan) and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Junxuan Lu). Funding for this research was provided by National Institutes of Health grant no. R01 CA142649.
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About the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, the only school of pharmacy in Minnesota, offers its program on the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. Founded in 1892, the College of Pharmacy educates pharmacists and scientists and engages in research and practice to improve the health of the people of Minnesota and society. The college is part of the Academic Health Center, which is home to the University of Minnesota’s six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Learn more at www.pharmacy.umn.edu
If any of you have any questions about this let me know, I spoke to Ed Johnston who spoke directly with the professor about this article and he was able to ask a lot of good questions that others will have.
For example this study was funded by a grant for lung cancer research and that is why only the lung cancer is mentioned even though they did try it on other cancers too, in the study.
Also when he said this=="we believe we've identified the kava components that contribute to the adverse liver effects and those substances are found in most if not all currently available kava products including the versions of kava used in traditional practices." it sounds like he is implicating even the traditional Kava drink made in the traditional way but he explained that there is a drug that is like a Tylenol on steroids and this drug has been linked to liver problems if you take it with kava.
In the south pacific areas they do not have this medicine so there is no liver problems, I forgot the exact name of this drug but I will find out and post it here. Really we do not have to worry about drinking Kava, but it very important to only drink kava and DO NOT take kava with other herbs or medicine. Aloha to all.
Chris
http://www.pharmacy.umn.edu/
.
University of Minnesota research finds kava plant may prevent cigarette-induced lung cancer
MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL (EMBARGOED UNTIL 11:05 PM CST JANUARY 7, 2014) – New research from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Masonic Cancer Center has found that consumption of the root of Piper methysticum or kava, a plant native to the South Pacific Islands, may prevent the development of tobacco smoke-induced lung cancer.
In addition, the research team identified the naturally occurring components of kava that appear responsible for all the cancer-preventative benefits. By using a patent-pending blend of these active kava ingredients, the research team was also able to avoid liver damage, a rare side effect previously associated with various commercially available kava-containing dietary supplements.
The findings are published ahead-of-print today in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.
In the latest study, the University of Minnesota research team found daily consumption of a kava-derived dietary supplement prevented the formation of 99 percent of tumors in a mouse lung tumorigenesis model that is routinely used in predicting lung cancer behavior in humans. The unprecedented level of tumor prevention was coupled with the finding that some mice developed no tumors at all. DNA damage resulting from tobacco carcinogens was also significantly reduced by way of prevention, providing a clue to what is potentially behind kava’s effectiveness.
The findings open up the future possibility of doctors recommending or prescribing kava-derived products in the form of dietary supplements or drugs for current tobacco smokers to reduce their risk of developing lung cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer13-fold for women and 23-fold for men.
The research may also help explain the low rate of cancer incidence where kava is traditionally consumed. Rates of cancer in the South Pacific Islands of Vanuatu, Fiji and Western Samoa are dramatically lower than those in countries with no kava consumption. Similarly, despite tobacco smoking rates comparable to those of the U.S., the occurrence of lung cancer in Fiji is just 5 to 10 percent of the United States lung cancer occurrence rate.
However, not all commercially available kava products are equal and many of those on the market may carry a risk of liver injury depending on their composition and how they are used.
In Europe, where kava had been routinely used to treat anxiety, kava products were temporarily pulled from the market after being linked to severe liver problems. Many factors have been hypothesized as having contributed to the rare occurrence of liver problems, and although a definitive cause has not been identified, current products in the market typically carry a liver injury warning.
“Our research team had also been working on identifying the source of the liver issues previously associated with current kava preparations. Based on preliminary data, we believe we've identified the kava components that contribute to the adverse liver effects and those substances are found in most if not all currently available kava products including the versions of kava used in traditional practices. This research allowed us to develop formulations which do not contain those substances yet retain all the cancer prevention benefits without liver toxicity issues. In fact, we are currently planning to pursue clinical trials with a number of patent-pending dietary supplement kava formulations.” said Chengguo Xing, Ph.D., an associate professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and a member of Masonic Cancer Center. "In the meantime, I would be hesitant to recommend that consumers start using currently available kava-containing dietary supplements in hopes of receiving cancer prevention benefits. Although occasional use of current kava-containing supplements likely has a low risk of liver injury, these products are not well suited for chronic and daily administration.”
In addition to developing safer kava formulations for the dietary supplement market, the team is also pursuing development of kava-derived drugs that may aid in both the prevention and treatment of various cancers including tobacco smoke-induced lung cancer.
Lastly, the findings from these studies may be good news for Hawaii, as the climate and soil in that State are uniquely suited to grow kava. Hawaii had previously served as one of the largest sources of commercially available kava before concerns over liver toxicity resulted in decreased demand. Resurgence in kava popularity would provide a significant economic boost to that State's economy.
Scientists collaborating in this research include lead authors Pablo Leitzman and Sreekanth Narayanapillai in the U of M College of Pharmacy (Chengguo Xing Group), and their peers in the U of M Masonic Cancer Center (Stephen Hecht Group), U of M College of Veterinary Medicine (M. Gerry O’Sullivan) and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Junxuan Lu). Funding for this research was provided by National Institutes of Health grant no. R01 CA142649.
.
About the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, the only school of pharmacy in Minnesota, offers its program on the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. Founded in 1892, the College of Pharmacy educates pharmacists and scientists and engages in research and practice to improve the health of the people of Minnesota and society. The college is part of the Academic Health Center, which is home to the University of Minnesota’s six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Learn more at www.pharmacy.umn.edu
If any of you have any questions about this let me know, I spoke to Ed Johnston who spoke directly with the professor about this article and he was able to ask a lot of good questions that others will have.
For example this study was funded by a grant for lung cancer research and that is why only the lung cancer is mentioned even though they did try it on other cancers too, in the study.
Also when he said this=="we believe we've identified the kava components that contribute to the adverse liver effects and those substances are found in most if not all currently available kava products including the versions of kava used in traditional practices." it sounds like he is implicating even the traditional Kava drink made in the traditional way but he explained that there is a drug that is like a Tylenol on steroids and this drug has been linked to liver problems if you take it with kava.
In the south pacific areas they do not have this medicine so there is no liver problems, I forgot the exact name of this drug but I will find out and post it here. Really we do not have to worry about drinking Kava, but it very important to only drink kava and DO NOT take kava with other herbs or medicine. Aloha to all.
Chris
http://www.pharmacy.umn.edu/