Can parsley and celery help fight breast cancer?

A University of Missouri researcher has found that a compound in parsley and other plant products, including fruits and nuts, can stop certain breast cancer tumor cells from multiplying and growing. The study was published in Cancer Prevention Research.

Salman Hyder, professor of biomedical sciences in MU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, exposed rats with a certain type of breast cancer to apigenin, a common compound found in parsley and other plant products. The rats that were exposed to the apigenin developed fewer tumors and experienced significant delays in tumor formation compared to those rats not exposed to apigenin. Hyder believes this finding could have an impact on women who are taking certain hormone replacement therapies.

Hyder said:

Six to 10 million women in the United States receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We know that certain synthetic hormones used in HRT accelerate breast tumor development. In our study, we exposed the rats to one of the chemicals used in the most common HRTs received in the United States – a progestin called medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) – which also happens to be the same synthetic hormone that accelerates breast tumor development.

When tumor cells develop in the breast in response to MPA, they encourage new blood vessels to form within the tumors. The blood vessels then supply needed nutrients for the tumors to grow and multiply. Hyder found that apigenin blocked new blood vessel formation, thereby delaying and sometimes stopping the development of tumors. Hyder also found that the compound reduced the overall number of tumors. However, while apigenin did delay tumor growth, it did not stop the initial formation of cancer cells within the breast.

Apigenin is most prevalent in parsley and celery but can also be found in apples, oranges, nuts, and other plant products. Apigenin is not absorbed efficiently into the bloodstream, so scientists are unsure of how much can or should be ingested.

We don’t have a specific dosage for humans yet. However, it appears that keeping a minimal level of apigenin in the bloodstream is important to delay the onset of breast cancer that progresses in response to progestins such as MPA. It’s probably a good idea to eat a little parsley and some fruit every day to ensure the minimal amount. However, you can also find this compound in pill supplements in the health food section of many stores. Of course, you should always check with your doctor before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle.

The next phase of studies should include human clinical trials to determine the appropriate dosage amount, Hyder said. He believes further study on humans is necessary to address any health and safety issues that might exist.

Bottom line: Researcher Salman Hyder, University of Missouri, has conducted a study suggesting that apigenin, a compound found in parsley, celery, and other fruits and nuts, inhibits the growth of a certain type of breast cancer in rats. His paper is published in Cancer Prevention Research

Via University of Missouri

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