Pineapple Fight Cancer Growth

While analyzing bromelain,an extract of crushed pineapple stems,researchers found that two molecules isolated from the extract showed promise in fighting cancer growth.

One molecules,known as CCS,blocks a protein called Ras, which is defective in approximately 30 percent of all cancers.The other,called CCZ, stimulates the body's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.

Researchers discovered these two molecules work simultaneously to block the grwoth of a broad range of tumor cells including breast,lung,colon,ovarian and melanoma.

And while CCS and CCZ are protease enzymes (usually associated with breaking down protiens,as in the digestive process),the above findings distinguish the molecules as a new way ot treating disease and potentially a whole new class of anti-cancer agents.

What's more, immbromelain, a rich source of enzymes, has also been found to modulateunological responses and has been proposed to be of clinical use.