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Vitamins and minerals

Apricot kernel amygdalin — a banned cancer drug or a dangerous myth?

Sources: 8 · Article: 12 249 characters

Henryk Różański warns that swallowed amygdalin releases hydrogen cyanide, which does not destroy only cancer cells.

  • Oral amygdalin does not reach the tumor, and the institutions mentioned advise against using vitamin B17 to treat cancer.
  • Eating too many apricot kernels can cause poisoning; Różański gives 60 kernels as a lethal dose for an adult and 10–12 as dangerous for a child.

What the authors write

Henryk Różański

Laetrile cannot be sold as a medicine, and the institutions mentioned advise against using vitamin B17 to treat cancer.

„The original Laetrile preparation cannot be made, because its sale as a medicine is prohibited. The FDA, the US National Cancer Institute, and Switzerland’s Pharmavista advise against using vitamin B17 to treat cancer. When the US Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of Laetrile, production was moved to Mexico.”Jako oryginalny preparat Laetrile nie może być produkowany, bowiem jego sprzedaż jako leku jest zabroniona. FDA, National Cancer Institute US oraz szwajcarska Pharmavista odradzają stosowanie witaminy B17 w zakresie leczenia nowotworów. Gdy US Food and Drugs Administration zabroniło sprzedaży Laetrile wówczas produkcję przeniesiono do Meksyku.
Witamina B17 – ciekawa koncepcja E. T. Krebs’a mijająca się z rzeczywistością i faktami naukowymi
Henryk Różański

After it is swallowed, the cyanogenic glycoside releases hydrogen cyanide in the digestive tract, and oral amygdalin does not reach the tumor.

„Hydrolysis typical of dilute hydrochloric acid takes place in the stomach, so hydrogen cyanide is released in the digestive tract. Krebs’s theory—that cancer cells break down the cyanogenic glycoside into hydrogen cyanide, which kills them—does not hold up. Cyanogenic glycosides do not reach cancer tissue when taken orally, so this reaction does not take place at all.”W żołądku zachodzi hydroliza typowa dla rozcieńczonego kwasu solnego, zatem już w przewodzie pokarmowym jest uwolniony cyjanowodór. Nijak się ma więc teoria Krebsa, że komórki rakowe rozkładają glikozyd cyjanogenny co cyjanowodoru, który je zabija. Glikozydy cyjanogenne nie dotrą do tkanki rakowej po podaniu doustnym, więc reakcja taka nie ma w ogóle miejsca.
Witamina B17 – ciekawa koncepcja E. T. Krebs’a mijająca się z rzeczywistością i faktami naukowymi
Henryk Różański

Cyanide inhibits an enzyme found in all cells, so it does not destroy only cancer cells.

„Cytochrome oxidase is present in all the cells of the body, including abnormal (cancer) cells. So we cannot say that amygdalin, by releasing cyanide, will kill only cancer cells. It is not a smart drug that targets only the tumor and stops respiration there.”Oksydaza cytochromowa jest obecna we wszystkich komórkach organizmu, także i tych patologicznych (nowotworowych). Nie można więc powiedzieć, że amigdalina dając cyjany spowoduje uśmiercenie tylko komórek rakowych. Nie jest to lek inteligentny, który trafi tylko do nowotworu i tam zahamuje oddychanie.
Witamina B17 – ciekawa koncepcja E. T. Krebs’a mijająca się z rzeczywistością i faktami naukowymi
Henryk Różański

Apricot seed material contains amygdalin, which is a cyanogenic compound that releases hydrogen cyanide as it breaks down.

„The material should contain at least 3% amygdalin (C20H27NO11), with a molecular weight of 457.4. Amygdalin is a cyanogenic compound. Cyanogenic compounds occur in about 2,000 species belonging to 110 families (e.g., Rosaceae, Poaceae, Linaceae, Papilionaceae = Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Scrophulariaceae). During hydrolytic breakdown, they release hydrogen cyanide, HCN (prussic acid, hydrocyanic acid).”Surowiec powinien zawierać przynajmniej 3% amigdaliny (C20H27NO11) o masie cząsteczkowej 457,4. Amigdalina jest związkiem cyjanogennym. Związki cyjanogenne występują u ok. 2000 gatunków należących do 110 rodzin (np. Rosaceae, Poaceae, Linaceae, Papilionaceae = Fabiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Scrophulariaceae). Podczas hydrolitycznego rozpadu uwalniają cyjanowodór HCN (kwas pruski, cyjanowodorowy, hydrocyanic acid).
Armeniacae semen amarum – nasienie gorzkiej moreli; surowiec farmakopealny
Henryk Różański

Eating too many apricot kernels can cause symptoms of poisoning; Henryk Różański gives 60 kernels as a lethal dose for an adult and 10–12 as dangerous for a child.

„In the medicine of Asian countries, it is used as a cough suppressant, an antihypertensive, an asthma treatment, and an anticancer agent. Consuming too much of the raw material causes symptoms of prussic acid poisoning. Sixty kernels are a lethal dose for an adult. For children, 10–12 kernels are dangerous and may even be fatal, depending on body weight.”W medycynie krajów azjatyckich jako środek przeciwkaszlowy, przeciwnadciśnieniowy, przeciwastmatyczny i przeciwnowotworowy. Spożycie surowca w nadmiarze daje objawy zatrucia kwasem pruskim. 60 nasion to dawka śmiertelna dla człowieka dorosłego. Dla dzieci niebezpieczna (nawet śmiertelna, zależnie od masy ciała) jest dawka 10-12 nasion.
Armeniacae semen amarum – nasienie gorzkiej moreli; surowiec farmakopealny
Henryk Różański

Amygdalin was claimed to have anticancer effects, but it has not received a positive assessment from the FDA.

„It was once credited with anticancer properties. Many authors continue to support these claims. It has not received a positive assessment from the FDA. It is found in the seeds of citrus fruits and plums, in almonds, and elsewhere. It should not be confused with vitamin B15, or pangamic acid.”Niegdyś przypisywano jej właściwości przeciwnowotworowe. Przesłanki te podtrzymywane są przez wielu autorów. Nie uzyskała pozytywnej opinii od FDA. Występuje w pestkach owoców cytrusowych, śliwek, w migdałach i in. Nie należy jej mylić z witaminą B15, czyli kwasem pangamowym (pangamic acid).
Leki cyjanogenne w dawnej medycynie i witamina B17
Henryk Różański

After the sale of the preparation was banned in the US, Laetrile was promoted as vitamin B17 and a natural cancer treatment.

„The FDA, the US National Cancer Institute, and Switzerland’s Pharmavista advise against using vitamin B17 to treat cancer. When the US Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of Laetrile, production was moved to Mexico. The preparation was then promoted as vitamin B17, a natural source of a substance that treats and prevents cancer.”FDA, National Cancer Institute US oraz szwajcarska Pharmavista odradzają stosowanie witaminy B17 w zakresie leczenia nowotworów. Gdy US Food and Drugs Administration zabroniło sprzedaży Laetrile wówczas produkcję przeniesiono do Meksyku. Zaczęto wówczas promować ten preparat pod nazwą witaminy B17, jako naturalne źródło substancji leczącej i zapobiegającej rakowi.
Witamina B17 – ciekawa koncepcja E. T. Krebs’a mijająca się z rzeczywistością i faktami naukowymi
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański warns that synthetic cyanogenic glycosides of unknown origin can deliver an uncontrolled dose of hydrogen cyanide or cyanide.

„In fact, he was not seeking the truth about his invention and did not admit his mistake. Synthetic cyanogenic glycosides from unknown sources may pose the greatest danger to health and life if their synthesis fails and, as a result, they become a source of an uncontrolled dose and form of hydrogen cyanide or cyanide.”W gruncie rzeczy nie poszukiwał prawdy o swoim wynalazku i nie przyznał się do pomyłki. Najbardziej niebezpieczne dla zdrowia i życia mogą okazać się syntetyczne glikozydy cyjanogenne z niewiadomego pochodzenia, których synteza nie powiodła się i w rezultacie będą one źródłem niekontrolowanej dawki i formy cyjanowodoru lub cyjanku.
Witamina B17 – ciekawa koncepcja E. T. Krebs’a mijająca się z rzeczywistością i faktami naukowymi

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 5 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 19.

In a rat model, amygdalin gel reduced tumor volume and epidermal hyperplasia.

Aim of the study: Cancer is one of the most important causes of death worldwide. Several studies have shown the efficacy of apricot kernel seed as a cancer therapy due to the presence of amygdalin.

Results: Based on pre-formulation studies, the ALN formulation composed of Tween 60: cholesterol: dihexadecyl phosphate in a molar ratio of 1:2:0.1 was chosen as an optimum formulation because it has a percent of EE of 66.52% with a particle size of 269.3 nm and a reflux of 3.54 µg.cm-2.h-1. The ALN gel formulation was integrated into carbopol gel to be evaluated in vivo. Compared to DMBA control, treatment with ALN gel showed a reduction in the carcinoma volume and in the hyperplasia of the epidermis with no signs of edema. In conclusion, the ALN gel formulation could be an efficient cancer therapy.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Amygdalin as a Cancer Therapy. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Umm al-Qura University, Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In breast cancer cells, amygdalin activated processes that lead to apoptosis and reduced their migration.

Aim of the study: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women, and its incidence and mortality are rapidly growing worldwide. In this regard, plant-derived natural compounds have been shown to be effective as chemotherapeutic and preventative agents.

Results: We observed that both the 20S and 26S proteasome activities were downregulated in the MCF7 cells upon 24 h treatments. Simultaneously, the autophagy cascade resulted in being impaired due to cathepsin B and L inhibition that also contributed to a reduction in cancer cell migration. The inhibition of these proteolytic systems finally promoted the activation of apoptotic events in the MCF7 cells. Collectively, our data unveil a novel mechanism of the anticancer activity of amygdalin, prompting further investigations for potential application in cancer preventative strategies.

Targeting Proteolysis with Cyanogenic Glycoside Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells. · Molecules 2022
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In the kidney cancer cells studied, amygdalin reduced cell adhesion, invasion, and motility.

Aim of the study: Information about the natural compound amygdalin, which is employed as an antitumor agent, is sparse and thus its efficacy remains controversial. In this study, to determine whether amygdalin exerts antitumor effects on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells, its impact on RCC metastatic activity was investigated.

Results: Functional blocking of α5 resulted in significantly diminished adhesion of KTC-26 and A498 to collagen and also in decreased chemotactic behavior in all three cell lines. Blocking α6 integrin significantly reduced chemotactic activity in all three cell lines. Thus, we suggest that exposing RCC cells to amygdalin inhibits metastatic spread and is associated with downregulation of α5 and α6 integrins. Therefore, we posit that amygdalin exerts antitumor activity in vitro, and this may be linked to integrin regulation.

Amygdalin blocks the in vitro adhesion and invasion of renal cell carcinoma cells by an integrin-dependent mechanism. · Int J Mol Med 2016
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In mice, apricot kernels inhibited the growth of transplanted tumors and, under some conditions, prolonged the animals’ lives.

Aim of the study: The effects of amygdaline from apricot kernel added to fodder on the growth of transplanted LYO-1 and Ehrlich carcinoma were studied in mice. Apricot kernels inhibited the growth of both tumors.

Results: Apricot kernels, raw and after thermal processing, given 2 days before transplantation produced a pronounced antitumor effect. Heat-processed apricot kernels given in 3 days after transplantation modified the tumor growth and prolonged animal lifespan. Thermal treatment did not considerably reduce the antitumor effect of apricot kernels. It was hypothesized that the antitumor effect of amygdaline on Ehrlich carcinoma and LYO-1 lymphosarcoma was associated with the presence of bacterial genome in the tumor.

Effects of Amygdaline from Apricot Kernel on Transplanted Tumors in Mice. · Bull Exp Biol Med 2016
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

The review describes research findings suggesting that amygdalin may trigger apoptosis and stop the cell cycle in cancer cells.

Aim of the study: Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside which is described as a naturally occurring anticancer agent. Current review highlights apoptosis-inducing attributes of amygdalin towards different cancers and its potential application as an anti-cancer agent in cancer therapy.

Results: Data collected from already published articles revealed that apoptosis is a central process activated by amygdalin in cancer cells. It is suggested to stimulate apoptotic process by upregulating expression of Bax (proapoptotic protein) and caspase-3 and downregulating expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein). It also promotes arrest of cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and decrease number of cells entering S and G2/M phases. Thus, it is proposed to enhance deceleration of cell cycle by blocking cell proliferation and growth. The current review epitomizes published information and provides complete interpretations about all known anti-cancer mechanisms of amygdalin, possible role of naturally occurring amygdalin in fight against cancer and mistaken belief about cyanide toxicity causing potential of amygdalin. However, well-planned clinical trials are still needed to be conducted to prove effectiveness of this substance in vivo and to get approval for human use.

Amygdalin from Apricot Kernels Induces Apoptosis and Causes Cell Cycle Arrest in Cancer Cells: An Updated Review. · Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2018
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

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