LOX Enzyme Unlocks Cancer's Spread

Great news!!

March 08, 2009
LOX Enzyme Unlocks Cancer's Spread

"Enzyme behind cancer spread found" from BBC News reports that a Canadian effort has found an enzyme called LOX is a key factor in the metastasis in cancer.

LOX (lysyl oxidase) works by sending out signals to prepare a new area of the body for the cancer to set up a camp. Without this preparation process the new environment would be too hostile for the cancer to grow.

Lead researcher Dr Janine Erler described the discovery as "the crucial missing piece in the jigsaw that scientists have been searching for."

Curcumin inhibits LOX (lipoxygenase).

Other than Curcumin there is Ecklonia cava and Boswellia extracts.

There is also research into EC as a means to controlling COPD.

ECE appears to significantly relieve allergic reactions without drowsiness, dizziness and other side effects of anti-histamine drugs.
University of Washington Asthma Mouse Study

The efficiency of ECE for asthma was confirmed in an allergen-induced murine asthma mouse study by Dr.
Emil Chi, Chairman, Histopathology Department, Washington University.

The researchers tested an Ecklonia Cava Extract product (KLS) in a mouse study of allergen-induced chronic lung inflammation and fibrosis. The antigen-treated mice developed an extensive cellular inflammatory reaction, overproduction of mucus and airway mucus plugging.
KLS was found to be effective in considerably reducing allergic reaction in inflammation. KLS reduced airway mucus plugging, and sub-epithelial fibrosis in the antigen-sensitized challenged mice. KLS were shown to be successful in improving the asthmatic lung structures. No pathological alterations in the liver, kidney, spleen, or small intestine were found.

Allergic Inflammation: Mouse Study

Dr. Lee and his team found that ECE significantly reduced allergic inflammation in mice. Specifically, ECE reduced the migration of eosinophils (inflammatory white blood cells) to the lungs by 75%. Eosinophils and resulting cytokines were reduced by 50%. Mucus plugs in the airways were reduced by 75%. Airway epithelial hyperplasia reduced by 75%. Collagen-causing fibrosis in lung interstitium (fibrosis, airway remodeling) and smooth muscle cell thickness was reduced by 20% and 32%. These latter findings suggest that ECE compounds may prevent or reverse the progression of chronic lung disease such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX)

Because the 5-LOX system plays such a major role in inflammatory and allergic responses, inhibition of 5-LOX has become a medicinal target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. One of the ECE compounds (8,8-BE) significantly inhibits 5-LOX compared with other well-known natural medicinal compounds such as resveratrol and EGCG.