Fermented wheat germ extract shows great anticancer activity

German researchers performed an in-depth study of the two anti-cancer mechanisms of fermented wheat germ extract (FGWE). They determined how the 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ) compound in the extract inhibited the metabolism of cancer cells while also preventing the proliferation of the tumor.

The researchers were supported by the University Hospital of Würzburg. They published their findings in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• Fermented wheat germ extract and separate DMBQ extract were acquired for testing. They were applied to nine human cancer cell cultures. The treated cultures were evaluated for various effects pertaining to the metabolism and proliferation of the cancer cells.
• The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of FGWE is 10 milligrams per milliliters (mg/mL). Its equivalent for DMBQ is 24 micromoles/liter (mcmol/L).
• Both concentrations caused significant damage to the cancer cells. The extract and the compound formed intracellular reactive oxygen species that caused destructive oxidation within the cells.
• Furthermore, the fermented wheat germ extract demonstrated cytotoxic, cytostatic, and growth-delaying effects. In comparison, DMBQ was only cytotoxic.
• FGWE slowed down and stopped the growth of cancer cells by disrupting their usage of glucose, essentially starving the cells. The growth-delaying effect caused autophagy, where the cancer cells devoured themselves to get enough energy to keep functioning.

The researchers concluded that both FWGE and the DMBQ compound could damage cancer cells, but only the fermented wheat germ extract was also able to prevent the tumorous cells from growing by disrupting the metabolism of the target.

If you wish to check out the complete study, visit this page.

If you want to learn more about the cancer-fighting properties of fermented wheat germ, visit AntiCancer.news.

Journal Reference:

Otto C, Hahlbrock T, Eich K, Karaaslan F, Jürgens C, Germer C-T, Wiegering A, Kämmerer U. ANTIPROLIFERATIVE AND ANTIMETABOLIC EFFECTS BEHIND THE ANTICANCER PROPERTY OF FERMENTED WHEAT GERM EXTRACT. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 1 June 2016;16(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1138-5.