Carrot & Parsley Compounds May Support Cancer Treatment

Carrot and parsley are rich sources of falcarinol, a bioactive plant compound.  Arjan Scheepens, from the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research (New Zealand), and colleagues observe that falcarinol is able to inhibit transport mechanisms in the body that select what compounds are absorbed into the body,and eventually into cells. These same transport mechanisms are known to interfere with cancer chemotherapy treatment.  From these observations, the researchers submit that falcarinol type compounds may support the delivery of drug compounds which fight breast cancer by addressing the over-expression of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2), a protein that leads to some malignant tissues ability to become resistant to chemotherapy.  The lead author comments that:  “Our work is uncovering new means to alter how the body absorbs specific chemical and natural compounds. Ultimately we are interested in how food could be used to complement conventional treatments to potentially deliver better results for patients.”