A study from Kumamoto University in Japan has investigated the effect of onions on ovarian cancer. The most common type of ovarian cancer is epithelial ovarian cancer, which is the fifth leading cause of women dying of cancer. Approximately 80% of patients who have suffered from ovarian cancer will relapse after chemotherapy.
With all these sad informations, the Japanese study bring positive news. The Japanese researchers discovered that onion has an effect on epithelial ovarian cancer. They tested the effects of onions in a preclinical model of epithelial ovarian cancer and found that the cancer cells' growth rate dropped when they added onion. It was not only the growth rate of the tumor which decreased - researchers also observed that Onionin A (sulfur containing substance) could inhibit tumor-stimulating activities of a group of immune cells called MDSC, which researchers believe is linked to the suppression of the immune response acting against the tumor. Additionally, Onionin A could increase the effectiveness of drugs against cancer by boosting their growth-inhibiting abilities.
Researchers continued to study the effects of Onionin A. They gave mice with ovarian cancer an oral dose of Onionin A, which resulted in a longer life and reduced growth of the ovarian tumors in the mice. The experiment revealed that Onionin A could reduce the growth rate of cancer cells by interfering with their immune-stimulating activity. The mice showed no signs of side effects.
The researchers will now investigate the effect of this amazing substance in onions to ascertain the effect in human patients with ovarian cancer. Previous studies have also discovered that the substance can reduce free radicals that cause cancer.
So, if you suffer from ovarian cancer, or are related to women who suffer or have suffered from the disease, it may be beneficial to eat more onion. Onions, however, have many other beneficial health effects, so whether you are healthy or sick, you will benefit from eating a little more onions.
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