Avemar (Wheat Germ Extract) in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Telekes, András; Hegedüs, Márta; Chae, Chang-Hoon; Vékey, Károly

doi:10.1080/01635580903285114

Cited by 33 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The exact chemical composition of FWGE, which is currently used as nutriment for cancer patients is not completely known [1]. It contains two quinones, 2-methoxy benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxybenzquinone that likely play a significant role in exerting several of its biological properties [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It contains two quinones, 2-methoxy benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxybenzquinone that likely play a significant role in exerting several of its biological properties [2]. Preclinical in vitro and in vivo data suggested antiproliferative, antimetastatic and immunological effects of FWGE [1-7]. In cell lines studies, FWGE induced programmed cell death via the caspase - PARP-pathway [7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Promising cytotoxic activity profile of fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar®) in human cancer cell lines

Mueller¹,

Jordan²,

Voigt³

2011

J Exp Clin Cancer Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) is currently used as nutrition supplement for cancer patients. Limited recent data suggest antiproliferative, antimetastatic and immunological effects which were at least in part exerted by two quinones, 2-methoxy benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxybenzquinone as ingredients of FWGE. These activity data prompted us to further evaluate the in vitro antiproliferative activity of FWGE alone or in combination with the commonly used cytotoxic drugs 5-FU, oxaliplatin or irinotecan in a broad spectrum of human tumor cell lines. We used the sulforhodamine B assay to determine dose response relationships and IC50-values were calculated using the Hill equation. Drug interaction of simultaneous and sequential drug exposure was estimated using the model of Drewinko and potential clinical activity was assessed by the model of relative antitumor activity (RAA). Apoptosis was detected by DNA gel electrophoresis.FWGE induced apoptosis and exerted significant antitumor activity in a broad spectrum of 32 human cancer cell lines. The highest activity was found in neuroblastoma cell lines with an average IC50 of 0.042 mg/ml. Furthermore, IC50-range was very narrow ranging from 0.3 mg/ml to 0.54 mg/ml in 8 colon cancer cell lines. At combination experiments in colon cancer cell lines when FWGE was simultaneously applied with either 5-FU, oxaliplatin or irinotecan we observed additive to synergistic drug interaction, particularly for 5-FU. At sequential drug exposure with 5-FU and FWGE the observed synergism was abolished.Taken together, FWGE exerts significant antitumor activity in our tumor model. Simultaneous drug exposure with FWGE and 5-FU, oxaliplatin or irinotecan yielded in additive to synergistic drug interaction. However, sequential drug exposure of 5-FU and FWGE in colon cancer cell lines appeared to be schedule-dependent (5-FU may precede FWGE).Further evaluation of FWGE as a candidate for clinical combination drug regimens appeared to be warranted.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promising cytotoxic activity profile of fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar®) in human cancer cell lines

Mueller¹,

Jordan²,

Voigt³

2011

J Exp Clin Cancer Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These data suggest that FWGE has the potential to provide benefits in cancer therapy [18, 19]. 2-methoxy benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxybenzene, the two major components of FWGE, are suggested to exert main biological properties of FWGE [14, 20]. Recent studies suggest that FWGE disrupts the anaerobic glycolysis and pentose cycle by targeting transketolase glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and hexokinase [14, 21, 22], by which FWGE suppresses the allocation of precursors for DNA synthesis on tumor cells [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fermented Wheat Germ Extract Induced Cell Death and Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Tai

Wang

et al. 2013

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Due to the difficulties of early diagnosis, curative treatments are not available for most patients. Palliative treatments such as chemotherapy are often associated with low response rate, strong adverse effects and limited clinical benefits for patients. The alternative approaches such as fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) with anti-tumor efficacy may provide improvements in the clinical outcome of current therapy for HCC. This study aimed to clarify antitumor efficacy of FWGE and the combination drug effect of FWGE with chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in human HCC cells, HepG2, Hep3B, and HepJ5. The present study indicated that FWGE exhibited potential to suppress HepG2, Hep3B, and HepJ5 cells, with the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of FWGE were 0.494, 0.371 and 1.524 mg/mL, respectively. FWGE also induced Poly (Adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) associated cell death in Hep3B cells. Moreover, the FWGE treatment further enhanced the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in all tested HCC cells, and cytotoxicity of 5-Fu in a synergistic manner in HepJ5 cells. Collectively, the results identified the anti-tumor efficacy of FWGE in HCC cells and suggested that FWGE can be used as a supplement to effectively improve the tumor suppression efficiency of cisplatin and 5-Fu in HCC cells.

show abstract

“…Yet another study, tocotrienols in whole wheat decreased the risk of heart disease whereas β-sito sterol was associated with a decrease in cholesterol [34]. A study with ferulic acid, which is the major component in whole wheat, showed that ferulic acid converted into DHFA by microbiota in gut resulting an increase in Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes [54].…”

Section: Metabolic Syndromementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Immature wheat kernels were more effective against two colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2) and HeLa cervical cancer cells [32]. Wheat germ extract (Avemar) has been reported to be involved in the apoptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer, Jukrat acute lymphoid leukemia T cell, HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia, H9 human lymphoid cell, and gastric cancer cells [33,34]. Avemar also was able to reduce nucleic acid synthesis in the tumor cell by altering the glucose uptake of cancer cells [33].…”

Section: Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Nutraceuticals and Functional Properties of Whole Wheat

Poudel¹,

Bhatta²

2017

J Nutr Food Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most commonly cultivated and consumed cereals throughout the world. Though phytochemicals and antioxidants in the cereal grains have not been studied as in fruits and vegetables, given the role of wheat in our diet plate, it is a given of primary importance to understand the chemistry of our major food, wheat. The presence of diverse polyphenols and their action against leading cause of death, including heart diseases, cancer, obesity, and diabetes, widens the scope of wheat. Phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, alkylresorcinols, flavonoids, phytosterols, and carotenoids are present in whole wheat. The majority of phytochemicals are located in the wheat bran/germ fraction, and they are the leading contributors to the health promoting activities. However, the presence of anti-nutrients and binding of phenolic acids with protein may have adverse effect on health. This review mainly focuses on studies that have been carried out in the past decade to present, emphasizing the importance of whole wheat and whole wheat based products in preventing major diseases and disease conditions, potentials threats, current lacks, and future prospects.

show abstract

Avemar (Wheat Germ Extract) in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Cited by 33 publications

References 29 publications

Promising cytotoxic activity profile of fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar®) in human cancer cell lines

Promising cytotoxic activity profile of fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar®) in human cancer cell lines

Fermented Wheat Germ Extract Induced Cell Death and Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Review of Nutraceuticals and Functional Properties of Whole Wheat

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About