Oral Administration of Fermented Papaya (FPP®) Controls the Growth of a Murine Melanoma through the In Vivo Induction of a Natural Antioxidant Response

Abstract

Prolonged oxidative stress may play a key role in tumor development. Antioxidant molecules are contained in many foods and seem to have a potential role in future anti-tumor strategies. Among the natural antioxidants the beneficial effect of Fermented Papaya (FPP®) is well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of orally administered FPP® in either the prevention or treatment of a murine model of melanoma. The tumor growth was analyzed together with the blood levels of both oxidants (ROS) and anti-oxidants (SOD-1 and GSH). The results showed that FPP® controlled tumor growth, reducing the tumor mass of about three to seven times vs. untreated mice. The most significant effect was obtained with sublingual administration of FPP® close to the inoculation of melanoma. At the time of the sacrifice none of mice treated with FPP® had metastases and the subcutaneous tumors were significantly smaller and amelanotic, compared to untreated mice. Moreover, the FPP® anti-tumor effect was consistent with the decrease of total ROS levels and the increase in the blood levels of GSH and SOD-1. This study shows that a potent anti-oxidant treatment through FPP® may contribute to both preventing and inhibiting tumors growth.

In vivo antiaging effects of alkaline water supplementation

“…In a previous investigation, we have shown that oral treatment with Fermented Papaya (FPP V R ) induces clear tumour growth inhibition in a model of a very aggressive melanoma; this result was consistent with a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increase of natural anti-oxidant molecules such as SOD-1 and glutathione in the blood of treated mice 34 . However, it has been reported that in vivo administration of alkalinised water induced a delay in the aging of mice 35 , supporting a key role of alkaline water in at least slowing down the aging process.…”

“…In order to evaluate the systemic anti-oxidant response of watering with the supplemented alkaline water, we analysed the redox balance in treated compared to untreated mice. To this purpose, we measured the total ROS levels in plasma samples of both CTR and AW groups, as previously described 34 . The blood was obtained from mice eyes before the sacrifice as previously described 34 .…”

Plasmatic exosomes from prostate cancer patients show increased carbonic anhydrase IX expression and activity and low pH

“…Among the phenotypes common to virtually all malignant tumours are hypoxia, acidity, and low nutrient supply 1-5 and ROS hyperproduction, as recently described 49 . In particular, acidic extracellular microenvironment induces a selective pressure leading to selection of cancer cells armed to survive in extreme microenvironmental conditions 7 .…”

Beneficial Effects of Fermented Papaya Preparation (FPP®) Supplementation on Redox Balance and Aging in a Mouse Model

“…The experimental design has been set up in order to evaluate in vivo the effectiveness of FPP ® supplementation on redox balance and molecular signature of aging. Although the greater efficacy of FPP ® was proven when taken sublingually [28], we found that this administration was very stressful for mice [30], so we decided to dissolve FPP ® in the daily water.…”

“…Fermented Papaya Preparation (FPP ® , Immun'Âge ® ) is one of the fermented foods that have proven positive effects on brain health; FPP ® is a product resulting from yeast fermentation of non-genetically modified Carica Papaya Linn, which is marketed as a natural dietary functional health supplement under the brand name of Immun'Âge ® [20,21]. FPP ® is a powerful antioxidant and nutraceutical adjuvant in combined therapies against various diseases [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29], including cancer [22,25,30]. The FPP ® more documented actions are as a free radical regulator [31], as immunomodulator [32][33][34][35][36] and as antioxidant [37,38].…”