Edit Target: 112
Banned in some states. May cause cyanide poisoning.
Laetrile B17 (Amygdalin )
Summary:
-Activation of the caspase-3 protease and downregulating Bcl-2, upregulates BAX
-Bax-to-Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 activity were increased
-Inhibits NF-kβ and NLRP3 signaling pathways
-Release of cyanide through the decomposition of amygdalin by the gut microfloral B-glucosidase enzyme. (bad)
-IV might be better to avoid the digestive tract which could convert to hydrogen cyanide.????
Selective Toxicity (some challenges to this statement)
The amygdalin itself is not toxic, but the HCN released from it causes the amygdalin toxic effect [35]. Cancer cells are dominant in anaerobic glycolysis and β -glucosidase is at its highest activity in lactate-induced acidic conditions [36]. Therefore, cancer cells have a high level of the unlocking enzyme β -glucosidase activity that breaks down amygdalin, leading to the release of HCN
On the other hand, normal cells are normo-oxygenated and contain low levels of the β -glucosidase enzyme as well as high levels of rhodanese enzyme which transforms hydrogen cyanide into harmless thiocyanate [46, 47]. Thiocyanate has positive effects on organisms such as lowering blood pressure and is also considered a precursor for vitamin B12.
It is poisonous when combined with plant-rich beta-glucosidase.
Upon ingestion, amygdalin is hydrolyzed to cyanide by beta-glucuronidase in the small intestine [2]. Oral intake of 500 mg of amygdalin may contain as much as 30 mg of cyanide [3]. Oral amygdalin is estimated to be 40 times more potent than intravenous form due to its enzymatic conversion to hydrogen cyanide in the gastrointestinal tract [4].