Table 2.
Potential anticancer properties of nuts based on preclinical studies.
| Author Year | Cancer Model | Putative Mechanism of Nuts Dietary Factor | Dietary Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer-Related Studies | |||
| Hardman and Ion 2008 [90] | Human breast cancer tumors in nude mice | Suppression of cell proliferation or suppression of metastasis | 18% of dietary calories from walnuts |
| Hardman et al., 2011 [75] | C(3)1 TAg transgenic mice, breast cancer | Alterations in cell signaling related to proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis | Walnuts in the diet |
| Garcia et al., 2015 [76] | Implanted mammary gland adenocarcinoma in BALB/c mouse model | Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase | 6% walnut oil or 6% walnut flour containing phytomelatonin |
| Chen et al., 2015 [77] | Breast cancer cells | Growth inhibition of breast cancer cells through cell cycle arrest and inhibition of proliferation | Ellagic acid that is abundant in walnuts |
| Colorectal Cancer-Related Studies | |||
| Hong et al., 2022 [78] | Colonic cell proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression in rat model | Reduced DNA damage possibly via downregulation of RelA inflammation gene expression without changes to colonic cell proliferation and apoptosis | Mixed nuts in the diet |
| Chen et al., 2020 [79] | Mouse tumor bioassay after colonotropic carcinogen exposure | Favorably altering the gut microbiota | Walnuts in a Western diet |
| Nagel et al., 2012 [80] | HT-29 human colon cancer cells in nude mice | Inhibition of tumor growth rate through suppression of angiogenesis | Walnut and flaxseed oil |
| Nakanishi et al., 2016 [81] | Mice treated with organotropic colon carcinogen | Tumor suppression associated with alterations in gut bacteria | Dietary walnut of up to 15% of total caloric intake |
| Davis and Iwahashi 2001 [82] | Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats treated with azoxymethane | ACF and cell turn over reduced | Whole almond-, almond meal- or almond oil-containing diet |
| Prostate Cancer-Related Studies | |||
| Davis et al., 2012 [85] | Transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) | Reduced TRAMP mouse prostate cancer growth and size; declines in plasma IGF-1, resistin, and LDL | Whole almonds as part of a high-fat diet |
| Kim et al., 2014 [86] | TRAMP | Reduced TRAMP mouse prostate cancer growth and size; improved insulin sensitivity and effects on cellular energy status, tumor suppression | Whole walnuts, walnut oil |
| Reiter et al., 2013 [87] | Implanted tumor model in nude mice | Reduced number and growth of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells; decreased oxidative stress | Standard mouse diet supplemented with walnuts |