Amygdalin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amygdalin (from Greek: ἀμυγδάλη, almond), C20H27NO11, is a glycoside isolated from bitter almonds by H. E. Robiquet and A. F. Boutron-Charlard in 1830, and subsequently investigated by Liebig and Wöhler, and others. Some sources claim Ernst T. Krebs was the discoverer of the substance, and Krebs is generally credited with popularizing it as a purported cancer cure and as "Vitamin B17." It is extracted from almond cake by boiling alcohol; on evaporation of the solution and the addition of ether, amygdalin is precipitated as white minute crystals. Sulfuric acid decomposes it into d-glucose, benzaldehyde, and prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide); while hydrochloric acid gives mandelic acid, d-glucose, and ammonia. The decomposition induced by enzymes may occur in two ways. Maltase partially decomposes it, giving d-glucose and mandelic nitrile glucoside, C6H5CH(CN)O·C6H11O5; this compound is isomeric with sambunigrin, a glucoside found by E.E. Bourquelot and Danjou in the berries of the common elder, Sambucus nigra. Emulsin, on the other hand, decomposes it into benzaldehyde, cyanide, and two molecules of glucose; this enzyme occurs in the bitter almond, and consequently the seeds invariably contain free cyanide and benzaldehyde. An "amorphous amygdalin" is said to occur in the cherry-laurel. Closely related to these glucosides is dhurrin, C14H17O7N, isolated by W. Dunstan and T. A. Henry from the common sorghum or "great millet," Sorghum vulgare; this substance is decomposed by emulsin or hydrochloric acid into d-glucose, cyanide, and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde.
Contents |
[edit] Relating to cancer
Amygdalin is also called laevomandelonitrile, or Laetrile for short (a typical pharmaceutical abbreviation from laevomandelonitrile, some claim that Laetrile is derived from a Latin word meaning "joyfulness" as laetari is the Latin verb meaning "to rejoice or exult") , and has been advocated by some as a "cure" or a "preventative" for cancer: as there is no scientifically accepted evidence of its efficacy, it has not been approved for this use by the Food and Drug Administration. The US government's National Institutes of Health reports that two clinical trials with laetrile have been published. One Phase I study found that amygdalin caused minimal side effects; the side effects that were seen were similar to the symptoms of cyanide poisoning. One Phase II study with 175 patients had some patients reporting improvements in symptoms, but all patients showed cancer progression 7 months after completing treatment, and it was determined no further tests were necessary.
While no double-blind clinical trials may have been conducted, a clinical trial was carried out in 1982 by the Mayo Clinic <ref> Moertel, C.G., (1982). "A clinical trial of amygdalin (Laetrile) in the treatment of human cancer.". N. Engl. J. Med. (306): 201-206.</ref> and three other U.S. cancer centers under NCI sponsorship. Laetrile and "metabolic therapy" were administered as recommended by their promoters to 178 patients with advanced cancer for which there was no proven treatment. None were cured or stabilized or had any improvement of cancer-related symptoms. The median survival rate was about five months. In survivors after seven months, tumor size had increased. Several patients suffered from cyanide poisoning.
In 1974, the American Cancer Society officially labelled Laetrile as "quackery," but advocates for Laetrile claim a conspiracy with regard to this label.<ref>New York Times article A Cancer Drug Shows Promise, at a Price That Many Can't Pay</ref> Pro-Laetrile groups assert that the financial motivations have somehow tainted the published research, these advocates reason that a "cure" as cheap and plentiful as apricot kernels would be unwelcomed by the pharmaceutical industry. So even today many American and Canadian cancer patients travel to Mexico for treatment with the substance, under the auspices of Dr. Ernesto Contreras. One of these patients was actor Steve McQueen who died while undergoing treatment in Mexico after developing mesothelioma. Curiously, Laetrile's foremost advocates within the United States can be found in all spectra of the political and science field from the far left of the political spectrum like The Village Voice to individuals like Head of National Cancer Institute Dean Burke Ph.D. <ref> Dr. Dean Burk</ref>, and G. Edward Griffin, author of "The Discovery of Noah’s Ark".
Though it is sometimes sold as "Vitamin B17", it is not a vitamin, as no disease is associated with a dietary deficiency of Laetrile (while some people believe that cancer is related to such a lack of "B17," (and thus, that it can be used as cancer treatment) it has not been firmly established as medical fact). The product sold commercially is extracted from apricot seeds, which are in the same genus (Prunus) as the almond.
The lack of information and the self medication of patients with Amygdaline causes severe problems in cancer treatment.<ref>Schraub S. (2000). "Unproven methods in cancer: a worldwide problem". Journal Supportive Care in Cancer 8: 10-15. DOI:10.1007/s005209900057.</ref>
[edit] Famous case in history
Jason Vale was the nation's leading spokesperson for the legalization of Laetrile. He was a national arm wrestling champion after he was cured of kidney, pancreatic and spleen cancer, purportedly by eating apricot seeds. However, in 2004 he was convicted <ref>New York Man Sentenced to 63 Months for Selling Fake Cancer Cure</ref> of fraud and sentenced to 63 months in prison for his methods of marketing Laetrile, for defrauding the U.S. government by claiming that he qualified for Legal Aid, and for criminal contempt. Representatives of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center testified on the side of the prosecution during Vale's criminal trial.
[edit] Famous supporters of amygdalin
Dr Dean Burk, biochemist with a Ph.D. from Cornell Medical College, <ref> Dr. Dean Burk</ref>, became Head of National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cytochemistry Section in 1937 and headed this department for over three decades. Andrew McNaughton of the McNaughton Foundation requested a scientific experiment by Dr. Burk of the (NCI), the results were a famous comment which was used in a G. Edward Griffin documentary "A World Without Cancer" <ref>G. Edward Griffin - A World Without Cancer - The Story Of Vitamin B17</ref> that “When we add "laetrile" (Amygdalin) to a cancer culture under the microscope,” “providing the enzyme glucosidase also is present, we can see the cancer cells dying off like flies.” <ref>ref1 Vitamin B17 “..cancer cells were dying like flies.”</ref> <ref>quackwatch article: The Rise and Fall of Laetrile</ref> He also claimed in Congressional testimony that Laetrile was less toxic than sugar <ref>Ref</ref> Dr Dean Burk then went on to become a life long supporter of laetrile / Amygdalin as a Cancer prevention and cure.
[edit] Amygdalin-inspired research
[edit] By Mahendra Deonarain (Imperial College)
On Wednesday, 6 September, 2000 the British association Festival of science released a news story about how cyanide can be used to target cancer cells in which Dr Mahendra Deonarain explains how Imperial College scientists "engineered the enzyme" that The cassava plant, almond tree and hydrangea, all have, this enzyme produces "cyanide when it comes into contact with a particular sugar molecule." Dr Deonarain goes on to explain that this system would be "Tumour Specific." <ref>BBC online news: cyanide targets cancer.</ref>
[edit] By Monica Hughes
A April 12, 1999 Published BBC News article explained the work of Professor Monica Hughes. Which has been focused on the Cassava plant and Tapioca which is derived from it. it is "It is one of many plants which manufactures cyanide to deter animals who might want to eat it." <ref>[1]</ref> and that "It does this by producing a chemical called linamarin which releases hydrogen cyanide when it is broken down by the linamarase enzyme." <ref>BBC news article: enzyme</ref> Professor Hughes' research has been funded by the European Union, but her funding has now run out and she is looking for other sources. This is despite the fact that Spanish researchers claim/found that a brain tumour in a rat was totally eradicated after one week of the genetic treatment that Dr Monica is working on. They found that the system allowed the localised release of small doses of cyanide through the breakdown of linamarin by linamarase.
[edit] Government regulations
Laetrile is a compound that has been used as an anticancer treatment in humans worldwide. It is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. The drug is made and used as a cancer treatment in Mexico. <ref> Is laetrile approved by the FDA for use as a cancer treatment in the United States?</ref>
The National Cancer Institute explains that "the names laetrile, Laetrile, and amygdalin are often used in place of one another, but they are not the same product. The chemical make-up of Laetrile patented in the United States is different from the laetrile/amygdalin produced in Mexico. The patented Laetrile is a partly synthetic (man-made) form of amygdalin, while the laetrile/amygdalin made in Mexico comes from crushed apricot pits." <ref> Question1: What is laetrile ?</ref>
Since Laetrile has not been approved as a treatment for cancer in the United States by the FDA,<ref>NCI Laetrile/Amygdalin (PDQ). Retrieved on 2006-07-13.</ref> doctors may not prescribe it specifically to cure cancer. However in certain US states the use of laetrile is authorized.<ref> [http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/1978/ii780402.html Laetrile: Legal but undefined and unavailable ]</ref> In Montana this " does not prevent a physician from prescribing laetrile as a dietary supplement to a patient not suffering from any known malignancy, disease, illness, or physical condition. "<ref>Montana Code: Laetrile not endorsed -- permitted as a dietary supplement</ref>, while in Indiana " a physician can prescribe or administer amygdalin (laetrile) instead of or in addition to customary or accepted modes of therapy in the treatment of a malignancy, a disease, an illness, or a physical condition of a patient" who has signed a written informed request. <ref> Indiana Code: A physician may prescribe or administer amygdalin (laetrile) instead of or in addition to customary or accepted modes of therapy in the treatment of a malignancy, a disease, an illness, or a physical condition of a patient who has signed the written informed request as set forth in section 5 of this chapter</ref>
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration continues to seek jail sentences for vendors selling laetrile for cancer treatment, calling it a "highly toxic product that has not shown any effect on treating cancer." <ref name="usfda">US FDA (June 22, 2004). Lengthy Jail Sentence for Vendor of Laetrile—A Quack Medication to Treat Cancer Patients. FDA News</ref>
Amygdalin is commonly manufactured in Mexico. But due to the controversial status of Amygdalin, it may be banned or difficult to locate in some locations.
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Personal Experiences
- National Cancer Institute - Laetrile
- A clinical trial of amygdalin (Laetrile) in the treatment of human cancer. - Moertel C and others in New England Journal of Medicine 306:201-206, 1982
- British Association Festival Of Science BBC news story
- Unproven Methods of Cancer Management: Laetrile - American Cancer Societycs:Amygdalin
