Persimmons excellent source of antioxidants for cancer patients

Persimmon bioactive compounds exhibit anticancer properties mainly in vitro and animal studies, with mechanisms like apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammatory effects. Human clinical evidence is lacking, limiting cancer nutrition recommendations.

Anticancer mechanisms of persimmon compounds:

Persimmon flavonoids and polyphenols induce cancer cell apoptosis. Flavonoids from persimmon leaves (PLF) show antiproliferative activity against liver, breast, and colorectal cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and increasing ROS. In prostate cancer cells, PLF inhibits proliferation and migration via oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Ethanol extract of persimmon leaves activates the PDGFR-Rac-JNK pathway, causing cancer cell death.

Specific compounds like 24-Hydroxyursolic acid activate AMPK, inhibit COX-2, and induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Persimmon polyphenols, especially EGCG, cause apoptosis in leukemia cells.

Anti-inflammatory and colorectal cancer prevention:

Persimmon phenolic extracts reduce colitis in mice and inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation. They decrease COX-2 and iNOS expression, linking inflammation to colorectal cancer.

Immunomodulatory effects:

In liver tumor-bearing mice, PLF achieves a 49.35% tumor inhibition rate and enhances immune function by increasing thymus and spleen indices, serum IL-18, macrophage activity, and natural killer cell activity, unlike cyclophosphamide.

Persimmon tannins:

Persimmon tannins have unique structures contributing to bioactivity, despite poor absorption. They offer health benefits through anti-inflammatory pathway inactivation, gut microbiota modulation, and antioxidant effects, showing promise in cancer prevention.

DNA protection:

Persimmon polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin, reduce acetaldehyde-induced DNA breaks, potentially lowering carcinogenesis risk from alcohol or ALDH2 deficiency.

Multidrug resistance reversal:

Persimmon peel extracts exhibit MDR reversal activity and cytotoxicity against oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Clinical application in supportive care:

Shiteito, containing persimmon calyx, treats chronic hiccups from anticancer treatments and shows antiproliferative activity against various cancer cells, suggesting potential as an adjuvant treatment.

All anticancer evidence comes from in vitro and animal models. No human trials have evaluated persimmon for cancer prevention or treatment. Persimmon tannins have limited bioavailability due to poor absorption, though colonic metabolism may contribute to effects.