Fenugreek, a leguminous annual Eurasian herb, has many uses: culinary, cosmetic and medicinal. It also prevents many human degenerative diseases, including breast cancer, according to the University of Wyoming. Of course, more research is needed to confirm fenugreek's potential benefits as a cancer preventative. If you want to use fenugreek, be sure to first talk to your doctor.
Free Radical Damage
Fenugreek supplementation protects against the development of breast cancer in humans, according to a study published in the journal "Cell Biology International" that scientists conducted at the University of Wyoming. Fenugreek contains high amounts of antioxidant compounds that protect the body from free radical damage. Free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules, are byproducts of oxygen-based metabolism that can contribute to cancer.
Carcinogenesis
Investigators from UAE University in United Arab Emirates demonstrated that fenugreek contributes to the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms. Results from these experiments showed that fenugreek suppresses the generation of free radicals that damage important cellular components such as DNA, cell membranes and fat-containing molecules like cholesterol. Such damage can start a chain reaction that may eventually lead to harmful cell mutations and carcinogenesis.
Apoptosis
Scientists at the University of Kentucky have shown that diosgenin, a plant-based estrogen present in fenugreek, suppresses ER positive MCF-7 malignant breast cancer cells. Tumor growth inhibition assays found that fenugreek inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells in response to DNA damage and through the induction of apoptosis --- programmed cell death.
Refuting Evidence
Fenugreek could function as an estrogen receptor modulator, thereby acting as an estrogen mimic and imitating estrogen-like actions, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In women, most estrogen receptors lie in breast cells. Estrogen plays a crucial role in women's development and reproductive functions but also stimulates growth in breast tissue and possibly breast cancer. Therefore, women with hormonally-sensitive cancers should not take fenugreek.
References
- "University of Wyoming"; The Many Uses of Fenugreek; Tyler Harran, et al.;
- "Cell Biology International"; Chemopreventive Activities of Trigonella Foenum Graecum (Fenugreek) Against Breast Cancer; A. Amin; August 2005
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Fenugreek
- "American Association for Cancer Research"; Effect of Diosgenin (Fenugreek) on Breast Cancer Cells; Srinivasan Sowmyalakshmi, et al.; 2005
- "National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Fenugreek; March 2007
