Asparagus Fights Cancer and Contains Glutathione

Asparagus is a nutritional "all star": it is low in calories with virtually no fat and very low in sodium and contains more glutathione (26 - 40 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight) than any other fruits and vegetables (Saito et al., 2000; Anon, 2001). Light cooking of asparagus preserves the glutathione content while prolonged cooking or canning (like with any other fruit or vegetable) leads to degradation of glutathione (Anon, 2001). Asparagus is a medicinal plant which has a diuretic effect and because of its high glutathione content it was identified as being beneficial for humans with heart problems (Leung and Foster, 1996).

Glutathione is a sulfur-containing antioxidant with strong anti-carcinogenic potential (Richie, 1992). It is a naturally occurring protein that protects every cell, tissue and organ from toxic free radicals. It is a tri-peptide of the three amino acids glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine. These precursors are necessary for the synthesis of glutathione in plants. Without glutathione the function of other important antioxidants such as vitamin C and E is restricted and thus the protection of the body is limited. No other antioxidant is as important to overall health as glutathione, it is the regenerator of immune cells and the most valuable detoxifying agent in the body (Petrosino, 2002). The significance of glutathione for human health relies on the following functions: glutathione acts as an anti-oxidant, it breaks down highly toxic peroxide and oxygen-rich compounds, thus preventing damages to cell membranes, genetic materials (eg. DNA), and other cell constituents. Glutathione is also part of the repair mechanism for damaged DNA (Garden-Robinson, 2001; Galen, 2000). Glutathione may bind carcinogens in the human body, promoting their natural excretion via urine or feces (Richie, 1992). Glutathione is generally involved in the immune system of the human body (Galen, 2000). Glutathione is part of the recycling vitamin C and E from an inactive to an active status (Wardlaw, 2001). Glutathione is available in powder and capsule form, but the powder has a tangy sour taste (Anon, 2002). Since glutathione increases the ability of the liver to process xenobiotics, there is a possibility that a regular intake of glutathione might reduce the efficiency of chemotherapy (Perlmutter, 2002). Without doubt fresh fruits and vegetables are the best source of glutathione for the human health. Rich sources of glutathione include asparagus, avocado and watermelon which contain between 28 – 35 mg glutathione 100 g-1 fresh weight (Pressman, 1997; Saito et al., 2000).

The glutathione, cysteine and ascorbic acid content decreased with increasing storage time and there were significant differences among asparagus cultivars. On average, the glutathione content decreased from 20 μmol g-1 to 8 μmol g-1 in spears and cysteine from 8.5 μmol g-1 to 2.3 μmol g-1 after two weeks of storage. Asparagus was found to be a good source of protein (>30% dry weight), containing most of the essential and non-essential amino acids (Lopez et al., 1996). Generally, the amino acid content decreased significantly with blanching and canning (Lopez et al., 1996). Green asparagus protein showed an adequate amino acid content according to FAO/WHO recommendations, and seems to contribute most of the essential amino acids, except histidine and lysine, which were actually available in limited amounts (Lopez et al., 1996).

Sources:The tender bud stem root of Asparagus officinalis L. Family Liliacese.

Constituents: Containing asparaine, coumarin, glutathione, chelidonic acid, amino acid, etc.

Actions:Experiments in vitro indicated that the juice of Aspargus officinalis. L. had a remarkable cytotoxicity against P388, ECA-109 KB and Hela cancer cells. In addition, the herb promoted the function of T lymphocytes, hence reinforcing the immunity to inhibit tumor.

Indications: The syrupus of Asparagus officinalis L. was used as a chemotherapeutic supplementary agent of lung carcinoma, 32 patients were divided into two groups. Group A containing 9 cases of squamous caricnoma, 5 cases of adenocarcinoma and 2 cases of microcyte undifferentiated carcinoma, among them, 2 cases with liver metastasis,2 cases with hydrothorax. Group B containing 7 cases of squamous caricnoma,7 cases of adenocarcinoma, 2 cases of microcyte undifferentiated carcinoma, among them, 2 cases with liver metastasis, 2 cases with hydrothorax. In both group A and B, the size of cancerous lesion was 1.6~3.6m2, either group A or group B was adopted the same chemotherapeutic agents and schedules, but the patients of group A was administrated 250ml of the syrupus of Asparagus a and. The short term clinical results showed that CR 1 cases, PR 8 cases, MR 3 cases, SD 2 cases and PD 2 cases, with the total effective rate of 56% (9/16) in group A. In group B, CR 0, PR 7 cases ,MR 2 cases, SD 2 cases and PD 5 cases , with the total effective rate of 44% (7/16). In addition, the symptoms of patients in group A was improved and the side effects induced by chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting and leukopenia were relieved.


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