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Report on Soy Lunasin – A Novel Cancer Preventive
Soybean (Glycine max L.) – www.ars.usda.gov http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean The Soybean (Glycine max L.), native to eastern Asia, has found its way into a wide range of consumer goods including many now familiar foods, such as soy milk, tofu, soybean curd, soy-yogurt, soy-burgers, soy-loaf and soy-sausages, which are especially favoured by vegetarians for their nutritional value. Soybean oil is used both as edible oil and in products such as mayonnaise and salad dressings, or may be used in industrial products from newspaper ink to plastics and paints, as well as in toiletries and cosmetics. Soy protein is also largely employed in processed foodstuffs’ ingredients, and soy lecithin in chocolate &c. In fact, if you do not wish to partake of genetically modified soy and its derivatives in products it requires a great deal of careful label reading to avoid the multi-tasks inclusion that soybeans perform in our everyday lives. So what has Soy been up to lately? No matter what our relationship is with the soybeans, whether they and their derivatives are shunned by the passionate Non-GM foods supporter, or are applauded for their Food Medicine value – soybeans provide a good source of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese; plus vitamin C - the ‘pulse’ is on the pulse of medicine. Although soy has had a very mixed research press recently, it has gained considerable attention for its potential e.g. to aid prostate cancer.1 Even if its protein did not come through with flying colours to improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease, nor shine in quite a few other areas of late where it had previously been thought to be an influence for the good, at least its products are deemed to be beneficial to cardiovascular and overall health because of their high content of polyunsaturated fats, fibre, vitamins, and minerals and low content of saturated fat.2 However, a recent announcement by Dr. Ben O. de Lumen, Ph.D, a professor at the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California at Berkeley, California, USA, and member of the Philippine Academy of Science and Engineering, that Lunasin, (from the Philippino word lunas for cure) is a novel cancer-preventive peptide3 first discovered in soy and now found in other seeds, comes as remarkable news and somewhat ‘ups’ the image of soybeans.4 Elucidating Lunasin The road travelled by Professor de Lumen to his discovery of lunasin came about when his laboratory initiated a project to enhance the nutritional value of soy protein and other legumes through bioengineering. The strategy is to clone a gene coding for methoinine-rich protein (MRP) and over-express the gene in soy or any target legume. He chose as his source of the MRP gene to use the soy plant itself, which eventually led to the lunasin’s discovery as a cancer preventive agent. The exciting accidental discovery of lunasin was made in 1999, 5 and may also help explain the known anti-cancer properties of soy and other seed crops. Scientists hope this will open up the opportunity to develop nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals based on lunasin technology. Whatever, since then it has been shown to be effective in preventing the transformation of normal cells to cancer cells caused by chemical carcinogens, as well as cancer-causing agents from viruses such as the one known to cause cervical cancer in women i.e. the common sexually transmitted Human Papillomavirus (HPV), types 16 and 18 in particular. HPV type 16 accounts for 64% of cases in the US and Europe and type 18 around another 8% of cases.5A Professor de Lumen says: “this is relevant to the Philippines, other Asian countries and other developing countries all over the world where cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women.” There is also a plan to conduct clinical trials on cervical cancer in the Philippines when the appropriate time comes. Professor de Lumen also tells us that in the first animal model, when applied topically, lunasin was found to prevent skin cancer.6 From this finding it is surmised that the first commercial application of lunasin is likely to be used for skin cancer prevention, or at least in the formulation of over-the-counter ‘cosmeceuticals’ to maintain a healthy skin.7 This might be seen as ‘good news’ when the incidence of skin cancer is on the rise in the UK. Between 1991-2000, the number of cases of melanoma rose by 64% in men, and 45% in women in England, 8 and between 1992 and 2002 the incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin rose significantly by 45% in men and 21% in women in Scotland.9 Hence, the Cancer Research UK launching of the national skin cancer prevention awareness-raising campaign ‘SunSmart’ to promote public alertness to skin cancer.10 It is also probable that lunasin may also be used as a topical application to prevent cervical cancer.11 Lunasin, being a small protein, was expected to be digested when soy was consumed. However, there is now evidence that lunasin is protected from digestion by naturally present protease12 inhibitors in soy and other seeds. The significance of the data of this research with so many soy products on the market is in its application to the preparation of soy fractions enriched in lunasin, the soy protease inhibitor (BBI), isoflavones and in making dietary recommendations.13 According to researchers, what lends scientific legitimacy to lunasin and makes it different from other currently studied soy chemopreventive14 agents such as phenolics15 and isoflavones, which function as antioxidants and phytoestrogens, 16 is its unique and novel ‘epigenetic’ mechanism.17 This means ‘the way lunasin works’ by selectively killing cells that are being attacked by carcinogenic agents whilst leaving other cells unharmed.17 It achieves this feat by interfering with the chromosome that is necessary for cell proliferation.18 This story from lunasin’s serendipitous discovery, its potentially numerous applications and its novel action is still in process. Also, not by design, professor de Lumen is inordinately proud that the major contributors to lunasin’s discovery were both Philipinos. Because of its promise, lunasin already is protected by many patents owned by the University of California at Berkely. Patents have been filed and granted in the US, Canada, Japan, European Union and other counties. A start-up biotech company, FilGen BioSciences Inc., has been formed and granted a license to commercialize lunasin. He also points out that the initial investors in the company are Philipino-Americans. These research results to date demonstrate the feasibility of producing large quantities of natural lunasin from soybean not only for animal and human studies,19 but as a strong weapon and treatment against the ever-increasing cancers that beset all of our communities in the modern world. COMMENT: Bioengineering20 is a term, which as a matter of choice, may not sit well with many and is certainly not welcome it in the form of GM-Foods inserted into our food chain that has been persistently resisted from being foisted upon us involuntarily. However, it would be churlish indeed, because of its bioengineering background, not to make report upon this extraordinary lunasin discovery, which like many other forms of our medicines has been revealed by accident, e.g. Penicillin, the first antibiotic discovered when Fleming found that a mould accidentally growing on one of his Petri dishes had anti-bacterial activity. References: 1. 'Keep your hair on guys ... Soya has Potential to Aid Prostate Cancer' – www.herbsphere.com 2. ‘Soy Protein, Isoflavones, and Cardiovascular Health. An American Heart Association Science Advisory for Professionals From the Nutrition Committee.’ Sacks FM, et al. Circulation 2006 Jan 17; [Epub ahead of print] 3. Peptides (from the Greek "digestible"), are the family of molecules formed from the linking, in a defined order, of various amino acids. Amino acids are the basic structural building units of proteins. They form short polymer chains called peptides or polypeptides which in turn form structures called proteins. Twenty amino acids are encoded by the standard ‘genetic code’ and are called proteinogenic or standard amino acids. Rarer, more complicated ones are produced by the body and are called non-standard. 4. ‘LUNA! SIN NATIN ANG CANCER! LUNASIN – A NOVEL CANCER PREVENTIVE SUBSTANCE FROM SEEDS. – STAR SCIENCE by Ben O. De. Lumen, Ph.D., The Philippine STAR, 26th January 2006. 5. ‘A soybean cDNA encoding a chromatin-binding peptide inhibits mitosis of mammalian cells.’ Galvez AF, de Lumen BO. Div. of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, Uv. of California, Berkely, USA. Nat Biotechnol. 1999 May; 17(5):495-500. 5A. ‘Virus causes most cervical cancer’ by Caroline Ryan (BBC News health staff in Copenhagen) 23rd September 2003. Report by Spanish researchers from Institut Catala d'Oncologia in Barcelona to the European Cancer Conference (ECCO) in Copenhagen, Denmark. 6. ‘Chemopreventive property of a soybean peptide (lunasin) that binds to deacetylated histones and inhibits acetylation.’ Galvez AF, Chen, N, Macaseib J, de Lumen BO. Div. of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, Uv. of California, Berkely, USA. Cancer Res. 2001 Oct 15;61(20):7473-8 7. ‘LUNA! SIN NATIN ANG CANCER! LUNASIN – A NOVEL CANCER PREVENTIVE SUBSTANCE FROM SEEDS. – STAR SCIENCE by Ben O. De. Lumen, Ph.D., The Philippine STAR, 26th January 2006. 8. The Office of National Statistics - ‘Report confirms skin cancer rise’ BBC News Online 28th November 2003. 9. NHS Statistics – ‘Significant rise’ in skin cancer – BBC News Online 6th September 2005. 10. Ibid. 11. ‘LUNA! SIN NATIN ANG CANCER! LUNASIN – A NOVEL CANCER PREVENTIVE SUBSTANCE FROM SEEDS. – STAR SCIENCE by Ben O. De. Lumen, Ph.D., The Philippine STAR, 26th January 2006. 12. Protease: Any enzyme that catalyses the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis. Proteolysis: The hydrolysis of proteins into peptides and amino acids by cleavage of their peptide bonds. 13. ‘Contents and bioactivities of lunasin, Bowman-birk inhibitor, and isolavones in soyben seed.’ Park JH, Jeong HJ, de Lumen BO. School of Bioresources, Andong National Uv., Kyungook, Korea. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Oct 5;53(20):7686-90. 14. Chemoprevention (Also called Chemoprophylaxis): The use of chemical agents, drugs, or food supplements to prevent disease. 15. Phenolics (Also called Phenols): A class of chemical compounds similar to alcohols, having unique properties and are not classified as alcohols. E.g. some phenols are germicidal and are used in formulating disinfectants; others possess estrogenic or endocrine disrupting activity. 16. Phytoestrogens: “are trace substances in our food which mimic and supplement the action of the body’s own hormone, estogren (‘oestrogen’). They are a comparatively recent discovery, and researchers are still exploring the nutritional role of these substances in such diverse and metabolic functions as the regulation of cholesterol, and the maintaining of proper bone density post menopause. Also, the phytoestrogens have been indicated to play a role in some types of cancers, although it is not clear if this is due to the phytoestorgens or overall eating habits.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoestrogens 17. ‘Lunasin: a cancer-preventive soy peptide.’ De Lumen BO. Dept. of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, Uv. of California, Berkeley, California, USA. Nurt. Rev. 2005 Jan; 63(1):16-21. & ‘The anticarcinogenic potential of soybean lectin and lunasin.’ De Mejia EG, Bradford T, Hasler C. Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Uv. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA. Nutr Rev. 2003 Jul;61(7):239-46. . Erratum in: Nutr Rev. 2003 Aug: 61(8): 293. 18. ‘A soybean cDNA encoding a chromatin-binding peptide inhibits mitosis of mammalian cells.’ Galvez AF, de Lumen BO. Div. of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, Uv. of California, Berkely, USA. Nat Biotechnol. 1999 May; 17(5):495-500. 19. ‘Characterization of lunasin isolated from soybean.’ Jeong HG, Park JH, Lam Y, de Lumen BO. School of Bioresources, Andong National Uv., Kyungpook, Korea Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Califronia, USA. J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Dec 31; 51(27):7901-6. 20. Biological engineering (also biosystems engineering and bioengineering) is a broad-based engineering discipline that deals with bio-molecular and molecular processes, product design, sustainability and analysis of biological systems. Generally, bioengineering encompasses other engineering disciplines when they are applied to living organisms (e.g. prosthetics in mechanical engineering). Bioengineering is often synonymous with biomedical engineering, though in the strict sense the term can be applied more broadly to include food engineering and agricultural engineering. Biotechnology also falls under the purview of the broad umbrellas of bioengineering. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioengineering |
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