Cancer, known medically as malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. Cell growth occurs through a cell division cycle or cell cycle. This cycle involves a series of events taking place within the cell eventually leading to its division or replication.

In order to keep a check on the cell division process, a mechanism of regulation is orchestrated within the cell, comprising of sequentially directed molecular events. These events employ two types of regulatory molecules known as cyclins and cyclin- dependent kinases (CDKs) to fulfill tasks of detecting and repairing of any genetic damage as well as prevention of uncontrolled cell division.

Abnormalities in cell cycle progression provide unlimited replicative potential to cells; as a result of which cells divide abnormally, form malignant tumors and invade various parts of the body.

Targeting the key regulators of the cell cycle progression can, thus, be used as a cancer chemopreventive strategy.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Molecular carcinogenesis, scientists from the University of Colorado, Denver, U.S.A, found that grape seed extract (GSE) increases a certain protein (Cip/p21) level in the cells, inhibits growth and induces programmed cell-death or apoptosis in human colon carcinoma (HT29) cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Upon studying the mechanism of GSE-induced increase in the Cip/p21 protein level and its role in biological efficacy of GSE, they identified a central role of this protein induction and associated mechanism in GSE-induced cell cycle arrest noted in human colon carcinoma (HT29) cells.

Deeper insights into these studies, could present grape seed extract as a potential anticancer medicine for colorectal carcinoma, in the future.

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