PROCESSED FOOD AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION HAVING WATERMELON SPROUT-DERIVED SUBSTANCES AS MAIN INGREDIENTS

摘要

Drugs called molecularly targeted agents are being developed which act on signal transmission pathways in cells. However, the side effects cannot be said to be a low burden on patients. Accordingly, there is still demand for substances which exhibit a significant cancer cell growth-inhibiting effect, and few side effects, as health foods and pharmaceutical compositions. The hexane extraction fraction of watermelon sprouts has an effect of specifically inhibiting cancer cell growth. The main causes of this effect are understood to be phytol and lutein. Accordingly, a processed food and a pharmaceutical composition which have these as main ingredients can provide anticancer action with no side effects.