Radishes are a spicy root vegetable in the Brassica family. There is no evidence that eating radishes is harmful to normal prostate cells. However, laboratory and clinical studies indicate that some ingredients in radishes may preferentially kill cancer cells. More research is needed before this work can be applied to human health. Since radishes are low in fat and sugar and have no known side effects, they can be a healthful addition to your regular diet.
Radish Root
Apoptosis is a process by which cells undergo programmed cell death. Unlike necrosis, the cells do not die from damage itself. Rather they undergo an orderly series of gene expression changes that ends in elimination of the cell. Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in India have shown that the root of the radish plant, Raphanus sativus, causes human prostate cancer cells, as well as other types of cancer cells, to increase their rates of apoptosis. At the same time, growth rates are reduced. Compounds in radish root extract therefore may be potentially useful for the isolation of new cancer therapeutics.
Radish Seeds and Sprouts
Both the seeds and sprouts of Raphanus sativus, a Japanese radish also known as daikon, are effective at killing cancer cells. This work was demonstrated by researchers at the University of Bologna and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in September 2008. The growth of tumor cells was significantly reduced and death rates were significantly increased with six days of treatment using daikon extract. In contrast, normal white blood cells were unaffected.
Protection From Mutagens
Zearalenone is a naturally occurring chemical that contaminates animal feed and has been linked to higher rates of cancer. A 2009 study published in the scientific journal "Mutation Research" showed that mice or cells that received radish extract were protected from the cancer-inducing properties of zearalenone. These animals had fewer defects in their chromosomes and less DNA breakage, compared to control animals that did not receive radish extract. The plant compound 4-(methylthio)-3-butenyl isothiocyanate was the active ingredient in radish that provided chemoprotection from mutation and DNA damage.
Comparison
Multiple studies have shown that the flavonoid plant chemicals found in radishes may have some benefit in eliminating prostate tumor cells and other cancer cells. However, the same flavonoids are also found in a variety of other fruits and vegetables. Measurements by researchers at Ohio State University indicate that other foods may contain even higher levels of anthocyanins, one type of flavonoid, than radishes. Purple corn, chokeberry, purple carrot and grape were more potent than radish in protecting human cells from oxidative damage.
References
- "Plant Foods and Human Nutrition"; Hexane Extract of Raphanus Sativus L. Roots Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis ...; Beevi et al; 2010
- "Mutation Research"; Isothiocyanate From the Tunisian Radish (Raphanus Sativus) Prevents Genotoxicity of Zearalenone ...; Ben Salah-Abbès et al; 2009
- "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry"; Structure-function Relationships of Anthocyanins From Various Anthocyanin-rich Extracts ...; Jing et al; 2008
- "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry"; Kaiware Daikon (Raphanus Sativus L.) Extract: A Naturally Multipotent Chemopreventive Agent; Barillari et al; 2008
