Physalis minima (Country gooseberry), is a plant from the Solanaceae family that has been used since centuries ago in Ayurvedic Indian traditional medicine, where it is known as Chirpoti, to treat some well known ailments and health problems. The fruit of this plant has a characteristic orange color and is covered by this paper-like leaves.

In spite most of the investigations on this wonderful fruit are focused on its anti-cancer properties, Physalis minima has other important properties, among which we can mention its diuretic, laxative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial [2] and antibacterial properties [3]. Image: Physalis peruviana.

PHYSALIS MINIMA

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Physalis
Common name: Native gooseberry, Country gooseberry, Wild cape gooseberry and Pygmy ground cherry [1], Physalis parviflora, Physalis pubescens, Chinese latern, حرنكش.

50% of cancers in the world today are caused by failures in the regulation of the cell cycle, a cycle that starts with the formation of cells and ends with its apoptosis or programmed cell death. The regulation of this cell cycle is achieved by a protein called p53 (name assigned by its molecular mass). The protein p53 is a natural tumor suppressor and it is in charge of ordering the human cells when they came to an end of life and it's time to die, process known as apoptosis.

For many factors, mainly DNA damage, some times the protein p53 fails, and the tumor cells that were suppose to die in this natural cell cycle known as apoptosis, continue growing, some times in the form of tumors and some times as its malignant form, cancer. But it seems scientists have now found an active constituent in Broccoli that may help in this fight against cancer, let's have a look. Image: Broccoli with dried tomatoes and pine nuts by La.blasco under CC license (CC by 2.0).

BRASSICA OLERACEA

Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Brassica
Common name: Broccoli

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), is one of the most active chemical constituents found in Turmeric or Curcuma longa. Traditionally used in herbal preparations and as a dye and flavoring agent, Curcumin is a polyphenol compound from the group of curcuminoids that is known for its characteristic yellow color, the color we can seen in curry powder, extracted from Turmeric root and used in many traditional culinary Indian recipes, but does it contain the key to cure cancer? Image: Vietnam Plants under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0).

CURCUMA LONGA

Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Curcuma
Common name: Turmeric, Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica Valeton.

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), is a non-flavonoid polyphenol [6] naturally occurring in several foods and plants as red grapes (Vitis vinifera), where it is primarily found in the skin but also in its seeds, and also in the roots of hellebore (Veratrum album), from where it was originally isolated by Takaoka back in 1940 [7], and in more than other 70 plant species, among which we can mention berries and peanuts [1].

In spite nowadays it is widely known that resveratrol may exert many health benefits, as for example stop breast cancer cell growth, increase longevity, be cardioprotective, neuroprotective [2], to treat pain, inflammation, tissue injury and even beneficial against coronary heart disease [1], something that was only found back in 1992, it hasn't been until recently that resveratrol properties to reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's disease got such evidence of effectiveness.

RESVERATROL

Formula: 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene
Occurrence: Red grapes, berries, peanuts, hellebore