Effects of Aqueous Extracts from Grape and Grape Seed on Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Cancerous and Non cancerous Human Gastric and Colon Tissues

Purpose We aimed to investigate possible effects of grape and grape seed extracts on adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in cancerous and non cancerous human gastric and colon tissues to obtain information about possible anticancer properties of grape. Experimental design Cancerous and non cancerous human gastric and colon tissues removed from patients by surgical operations were used in the studies. The extracts were prepared in distilled water. Before and after treatment with the extracts, ADA activities in the samples were measured. Results ADA activity was found to be inhibited by aqueous grape extract in cancerous and non cancerous gastric and colon tissues. ADA activity was found to be lowered by the grape seed extract only in the cancerous gastric tissues but not in the others. Conclusion Our results suggest that inhibition created by the grape constituents might be of importance as to the anticancer potential of grape and grape seed. It is possible that in addition to other proposed mechanisms, accumulated adenosine due to the inhibition of ADA enzyme might play part in the anticancer properties of the grape constituents.