Barley Grass Juice and Cancer

Barley grass extract causes apoptosis of cancer cells by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species production. Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Therefore, food products are being
investigated for potential prevention or treatment strategies. The ingredient, barley grass extract (Hordeum vulgare L -Bex), is used to prevent or lessen various types of disease.  In cancer, Bex inhibits tumor growth. However, its effect on cancer cells is yet to be clearly defined. The present study investigated the impact of Bex on cancer cell growth. Bex obstructed the viabilities of breast and prostate cancer cells according to the results of MTT assays. Accordingly, Bex caused apoptosis, confirmed by; Annexin V staining and a western blot analysis for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspases.

Furthermore, Bex increased the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and N-acetyl-L-cysteine blocked Bex-induced apoptosis. The study demonstrated that Bex causes breast and prostate cancer cell apoptosis by increasing intracellular ROS levels.

Keywords: barley grass extract, cancer, reactive oxygen species.   Apoptosis is a type of cell death that goes through a molecular process. The body uses this method to get rid of unneeded or abnormal cells. Apoptosis may be blocked when cancer cells spread and take over—also called programmed cell death.