Role of the gastrointestinal microflora in amygdalin (laetrile)-induced cyanide toxicity

Carter, John H.; McLafferty, Martha A.; Goldman, Peter

doi:10.1016/0006-2952(80)90504-3

Cited by 76 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In animal models, the lethal dose of amygdalin has been reported, that is, 880 mg/kg body weight by oral administration in rats and 25 g/kg by intravenous injections in mice (Park et al 2013). It seems that the toxic effect through oral administration is higher than the intravenous injections, which is due to the release of more HCN upon hydrolysis of amygdalin by intestinal microbes (Carter et al 1980). Because of such toxicity, there is a need for further indepth studies to investigate its effects in normal somatic cell lines in vivo.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhibition of cell growth and down-regulation of telomerase activity by amygdalin in human cancer cell lines

Moon

Kim

Yun

et al. 2015

Animal Cells and Systems

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The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of amygdalin on cell growth and telomerase activity in human cancer and MRC-5 fibroblast cell lines. The level of β-glucosidase activity for releasing cyanide was significantly (P < .05) higher in cancer cell lines (A-549, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and U87-MG) than in MRC-5 fibroblasts. Growth rate of cancer cells was apparently inhibited in concentrations above 10 mg/ml amygdalin with senescent-like abnormal morphology. Whereas the effects were absent or marginally detected in MRC-5 fibroblasts. High incidence of β-galactosidase activity was observed in amygdalin-treated cancer cells, compared with that of untreated control while no difference was observed between the control and amygdalin-treated MRC-5 fibroblasts. Furthermore, level of telomerase activity was significantly (P < .05) higher (∼8-13 fold) in cancer cell lines along with high expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomerase RNA component (TERC) than in MRC-5 fibroblasts which did not expressed TERT and TERC. However, telomerase activity was significantly (P < .05) down-regulated in amygdalin-treated cancer cells with the decreased expression of TERT and TERC compared with control cancer cells. There were no difference in the telomerase activity between control and amygdalin-treated MRC-5 fibroblasts. Based on these observations, we concluded that amygdalin treatment offers a valuable option for the cancer treatment, causing inhibition of cell growth and down-regulation of telomerase activity in human cancer cell lines by increasing β-glucosidase activity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhibition of cell growth and down-regulation of telomerase activity by amygdalin in human cancer cell lines

Moon

Kim

Yun

et al. 2015

Animal Cells and Systems

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“…As already described in Chapter 6, all cyanogenic glycosides investigated so far can be absorbed into the blood stream (Barrett et al, 1977;Philbrick et al, 1977, Brimer andRosling, 1993;Hernandez et al, 1995;Carter et al, 1980;Rauws et al, 1982Rauws et al, , 1983Sakata et al, 1987). However, all evidence available indicates that the absorbed glycosides (no matter the structure of the aglycone or the sugar part) are excreted unchanged in the urine of the organism (Ames et al, 1978;Moertel et al, 1981, Brimer andRosling, 1993;Hernandez et al, 1995).…”

Section: Absorption Distribution and Excretion Of Parent Cyanogenic mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Thus, although cyanogenic glycosides may undergo acid hydrolysis (Eyjolfsson, 1970;Bradbury et al, 1991), the conditions in the mammalian stomach, together with the relatively short passage time, will allow the main fraction to pass to the intestine. Once in the intestine of a non-ruminant, the glycosides are absorbed, as has been demonstrated for linamarin in a number of animal species and in humans (Barrett et al, 1977;Philbrick et al, 1977, Brimer andRosling, 1993;Hernandez et al, 1995), and for prunasin (prulaurasin) and amygdalin in different animal species (Carter et al, 1980;Rauws et al, 1982Rauws et al, , 1983Sakata et al, 1987). Alternatively they will be hydrolysed by micro-organisms (Carter et al, 1980;Bourdoux et al, 1982;Poulton, 1993).…”

Section: Adverse Effects On Livestockmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Once in the intestine of a non-ruminant, the glycosides are absorbed, as has been demonstrated for linamarin in a number of animal species and in humans (Barrett et al, 1977;Philbrick et al, 1977, Brimer andRosling, 1993;Hernandez et al, 1995), and for prunasin (prulaurasin) and amygdalin in different animal species (Carter et al, 1980;Rauws et al, 1982Rauws et al, , 1983Sakata et al, 1987). Alternatively they will be hydrolysed by micro-organisms (Carter et al, 1980;Bourdoux et al, 1982;Poulton, 1993). According to Rauws et al (1983) the oral bio-availability of prunasin is considerably higher than that of amygdalin (measured in dogs).…”

Section: Adverse Effects On Livestockmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Opinion of the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain [CONTAM] related to cyanogenic compounds as undesirable substances in animal feed

2007

EFSA Journal

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SUMMARYHydrogen cyanide (HCN) is formed following the enzymatic hydrolysis of cyanogenic glycosides, which are produced as secondary metabolites by various plant species. In the intact plant these cyanogenic compounds are stored separated from hydrolytic enzymes. Crushing of plant materials either by technical processes or by chewing by animals obliterates this separation and initiates the enzymatic hydrolysis of cyanogenic compounds, resulting ultimately in the formation of HCN. Hydrolysis to release HCN can also be accomplished by microorganisms in the digestive tract.

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“…İnsan ve hayvanlar tarafından vücuda alınan siyanojenik glikozitler, bağırsak mikroorganizmaları veya bitkisel besin kaynaklı enzimlerin etkisiyle HCN oluşturabilirler [9]. Siyanojenik glikozit içeren ekonomik öneme sahip bitkisel ürünler arasında manyok (cassava), fasulye, badem, kayısı, sorgum, keten ve beyaz yonca sayılabilir [1,10].…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Ami̇gdali̇n Ve Özelli̇kleri̇

Çelik¹,

Yildirim²

2017

Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi

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ÖZDoğada en çok karşılaşılan siyanojenik glikozit olan amigdalin kayısı, badem, kiraz, elma, erik, armut ve şeftali gibi meyvelerin çekirdeklerinde bulunur. Amigdalin, D(-)-mandelonitril-β-D-gentiobiyozit, D(-)-amigdalin, R-amigdalin, laetril ve vitamin B 17 gibi isimlerle de anılmaktadır. Amigdalinin parçalanması enzimatik aktivite, ısıl işlem, mineral asitler ve yüksek askorbik asit konsantrasyonları ile gerçekleşebilir ve parçalanma sonucunda zehirli hidrojen siyanür oluşur. Amigdalin, alyuvar üretiminin kaybı ile karakterize edilen kansızlık, astım, yüksek tansiyon, damar sertliği, şeker hastalığı, migren ve özellikle de kanser tedavisinde kullanılmaktadır. Laboratuvar koşullarında yapılan bazı çalışmalarda tümör gelişiminin engellenmesine dair olumlu sonuçlar elde edilmiş olmasına karşın özellikle hastalığı ilerlemiş kişilerde amigdalinin tümör gelişimini önlediğine ilişkin ikna edici veriler bulunmamaktadır. Bu nedenle amigdalinin anti-kanserojen etkisinin olup olmadığı konusunun biran önce açıklığa kavuşturulması için ayrıntılı bilimsel çalışmalara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu derlemede, amigdalinin kimyasal özellikleri, bulunduğu gıdalar, parçalanması, sağlık üzerine etkisi ve analiz yöntemlerine ilişkin bilgiler verilmiştir.Anahtar Kelimeler: Amigdalin, kimyasal özellikleri, parçalanması, sağlık üzerine etkileri AMYGDALIN AND ITS PROPERTIES ABSTRACTAmygdalin is the most common cyanogenic glycoside in nature, and it is found in fruit kernels, such as apricot, almond, cherry, apple, plum, pear and peach. Amygdalin is also called D(-)-mandelonitrile-β-D-gentiobioside, D(-)-amygdalin, R-amygdalin, laetrile and vitamin B 17 . Amygdalin can be degraded by enzymatic activity, heat treatment, mineral acids or high concentrations of ascorbic acid, and after its degradation, toxic hydrogen cyanide is formed. Amygdalin has been used to treat aplastic anaemia, asthma, hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, migraine, and most important of all, cancer. Although tumour-inhibiting effects of amygdalin have been observed from some in vitro studies, there is no substantial evidence showing that amygdalin induces discrete tumour regression in cancer patients, particularly in those with late-stage disease. Therefore, further investigation is necessary to clarify whether amygdalin has an anti-carcinogenic effect as soon as possible. This paper aims to provide current knowledge about amygdalin regarding its chemical properties, presence in foods, degradation, possible health effects, and analysis methods.

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Role of the gastrointestinal microflora in amygdalin (laetrile)-induced cyanide toxicity

Cited by 76 publications

References 11 publications

Inhibition of cell growth and down-regulation of telomerase activity by amygdalin in human cancer cell lines

Inhibition of cell growth and down-regulation of telomerase activity by amygdalin in human cancer cell lines

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain [CONTAM] related to cyanogenic compounds as undesirable substances in animal feed

Ami̇gdali̇n Ve Özelli̇kleri̇

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