HEALTH BENEFIT

SORGHUM MAY INHIBIT CANCER TUMOR GROWTH

3-Deoxyanthoxyanins (3-DXA) possess unique chemical and biochemical properties and may be useful in helping reduce incidence of gastrointestinal cancer. This study tested sorghum extracts rich in 3-DXA as well as isolated and synthetic 3-DXA for potential to induce activity of phase II enzymes in murine hepatoma cells using the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) assay and to inhibit proliferation of the HT-29 human colon cancer cells using MTT and PicoGreen assays. Crude black sorghum extract that contained high levels of methoxylated 3-DXA was a strong inducer of NQO activity (3.0 times at 50 microg/mL), compared to red or white sorghum extracts with low or no methoxylated 3-DXA (1.6 times at 200 microg/mL). All sorghum extracts had strong antiproliferative activity against HT-29 cells after 48 h of incubation (IC(50) = 180-557 microg/mL). Among isolated fractions, nonmethoxylated 3-DXA were very effective against HT-29 cell growth (IC(50) = 44-68 microM at 48 h), but were noninducers of NQO. On the other hand, the methoxylated 3-DXA had both strong antiproliferative activity (IC(50) < 1.5-53 microM) and NQO inducer activity (2-3.7 times). Dimethoxylated 3-DXA were more potent than monomethoxylated analogues. Methoxylation of 3-DXA is essential for NQO activity and also enhances tumor cell growth inhibition.

Liyi Yang, Jimmy D Browning, Joseph M Awika. Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry. 2009 Mar 11;57(5):1797-804

SORGHUM MAY PROTECT AGAINST DIABETES AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are increasingly implicated in the complications of diabetes. A study from the University of Georgia Nutraceutical Research Libraries showed that sorghum brans with a high phenolic content and high anti-oxidant properties inhibit protein glycation, whereas wheat, rice or oat bran, and low-phenolic sorghum bran did not. These results suggest that "certain varieties of sorghum bran may aﬀect critical biological processes that are important in diabetes and insulin resistance."

Phyto therapy Research. 2008 Aug;22(8):1052-6

SORGHUM IS SAFE FOR PEOPLE WITH CELIAC DISEASE

Up to one percent of the U.S. population (and about ½% worldwide) is believed to have Celiac Disease, an autoimmune reaction to gluten proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. While sorghum has long been thought safe for celiac, no clinical testing had been done until researchers in Italy made a study. First, they conducted laboratory tests; after those tests established the likely safety, they fed celiac patients' sorghum-derived food products for ﬁve days. The patients experienced no symptoms and the level of disease markers (anti-transglutaminase antibodies) was unchanged at the end of the ﬁve-day period.

Clinical Nutrition. 2007 Dec;26(6):799-805. Epub 2007 Aug 24

SORGHUM MAY HELP MANAGE CHOLESTEROL

Scientists at the University of Nebraska observed that sorghum is a rich source of phytochemicals, and decided to study sorghum's potential for managing cholesterol. They fed diﬀerent levels of sorghum lipids to hamsters for four weeks, and found that the healthy fats in sorghum signiﬁcantly reduced "bad" (non-HDL) cholesterol. Reductions ranged from 18% in hamsters fed a diet including 0.5% sorghum lipids, to 69% in hamsters fed a diet including 5% sorghum lipids. "Good" (HDL) cholesterol was not aﬀected. Researchers concluded that "grain sorghum contains beneﬁcial components that could be used as food ingredients or dietary supplements to manage cholesterol levels in humans."

Journal of Nutrition. 2005 Sep;135(9):2236-40

ANTIOXIDANTS IN SORGHUM HIGH RELATIVE TO OTHER GRAINS AND TO FRUITS

Joseph Awika and Lloyd Rooney, at Texas A&M University, conducted an extensive review of scores of studies involving sorghum, and concluded that the phytochemicals in sorghum "have potential to significantly impact human health." In particular, they cited evidence that sorghum may reduce the risk of certain cancers and promote cardiovascular health.

Phytochemistry. 2004 May;65(9):1199-221

SORGHUM MAY HELP TREAT HUMAN MELANOMA

Scientists in Madrid studied the eﬀect of three diﬀerent components from wine and one from sorghum, to gauge their eﬀects on the growth of human melanoma cells. While results were mixed, they concluded that all four components (phenolic fractions) "have potential as therapeutic agents in the treatments of human melanoma" although the way in which each slowed cancer growth may diﬀer.

Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry. 2001 Mar;49(3):1620-4

SORGHUM HELP IN GLUTEN-CASEIN FREE DIET

A diet free of gluten and casein (GF / CF, Gluten Free Casein Free) is a therapy for children with autism that is carried out from within the body and if it is carried out with other therapies, such as behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and physical occupational therapy, it will be better. Many autistic children experience rapid development in social and communication skills after undergoing GF / CF therapy.

The Effect of Gluten and Casein-free Diet on the Development of Autisored Children at Autism Special SLB Fajar Nugraha Sleman, Yogyakarta. JKKI 2014 May-August; 6 (49)

SORGHUM AS ANTIVIRUS

Research from the Center for Agricultural Post-harvest Research and Development shows that sorghum contains of 11-gram protein per 100 grams. Sorghum protein peptides have functional antiviral value. Sorghum seeds contain antiviral peptides that have been shown to inhibit infection, replication and spread of several viruses, including herpes simplex and to a lesser extent the polio virus. Furthermore, sorghum peptide is not only able to inhibit the initiation and spread of infection, but also has an in vitro prophylactic effect against herpes simplex-1 infection.

Potential food ingredients for anti-virus and immune booster. Center for Agricultural Post-Harvest Research and Development. 2020 June ISBN 978-979-1116-58-9.