An approach to functional food: cancer preventive potential of vegetables and fruits and their active constituents

A Japanese research group has identified several compounds in commonly used plants in Thailand that seem to inhibit the growth of tumors. Out of 112 dietary plants, 39 were effective in inhibiting Epstein-Barr virus activation of a human B cell line. Several anti-tumor chemicals were also isolated in a study of 40 Thai plants used not as food but as condiments and herbal medicines.