Description
Amygdalin C*0H*7NO*1, is a glycoside initially isolated from the seeds
of the tree Prunus
dulcis, also known as bitter
almonds, Amygdalin is a plant compound that
contains sugar and produces cyanide. It is found in small
quantities in the kernels of many fruits and raw nuts. The names
Amygdalin and Laetrile are often used interchangeably. Also known
as Laetrile, Vitamin B**7.
Chemistry
Amygdalin is extracted from almond or apricot
kernel cake by boiling in ethanol; on evaporation of the
solution and the addition of diethyl
ether, amygdalin is precipitated as white minute
crystals. Liebig and Wöhler were already able to find three
decomposition products of the newly discovered amygdalin: sugar,
benzaldehyde, and prussic acid
(hydrogen cyanide).
Toxicity
The metabolism of amygdalin produces
hydrogen
cyanide, a potent toxin. Beta-glucosidase, one of the enzymes
that catalyzes the release of cyanide from amygdalin, is
present in the human small intestine and in a variety of
common foods. This leads to an unpredictable and potentially lethal
toxicity when amygdalin or laetrile is taken orally. Ingestion of
purified amygdalin or apricot seeds can cause severe toxicity and
death due to cyanide poisoning. Numerous case reports in medical
literature describe serious cyanide poisoning in patients who
ingested laetrile as a cancer treatment.
Cancer
treatment
One hundred seventy-eight patients with cancer
were treated with amygdalin plus a "metabolic therapy" program
consisting of diet, enzymes, and vitamins. The great majority of
these patients were in good general condition before treatment.
None was totally disabled or in preterminal condition. One third
had not received any previous chemotherapy. The pharmaceutical
preparations of amygdalin, the dosage, and the schedule were
representative of past and present Laetrile practice. No
substantive benefit was observed in terms of cure, improvement or
stabilization of cancer, improvement of symptoms related to cancer,
or extension of life span. The hazards of amygdalin therapy were
evidenced in several patients by symptoms of cyanide toxicity or by
blood cyanide levels approaching the lethal range. Patients exposed
to this agent should be instructed about the danger of cyanide
poisoning, and their blood cyanide levels should be carefully
monitored. Amygdalin is a toxic drug that is not effective as a
cancer treatment.
amygdalin on
atherosclerosis
Regulatory T cells
(Tregs) play a critical role in the regulation of T cell-mediated
immune responses in atherosclerosis, a chronic autoimmune-like
disease. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the
therapeutic effect of amygdalin on atherosclerosis of
apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/−) mice, and to explore its
immune regulatory function by stimulation of Tregs.
How is Amygdalin administered?
Amygdalin is given by mouth (orally) as a pill. It can also be given by
injection into a vein
(intravenously) or muscle.
Laetrile is commonly given intravenously over a period of time and
then orally as maintenance
therapy (treatment given to help extend the benefit of
previous therapy). is given by
mouth (orally) as a pill. It can
also be given by injection into
a vein (intravenously) or
muscle.Amygdalin
is commonly given
intravenously over a period of time and then orally as maintenance therapy (treatment given to help
extend the benefit of previous therapy).
The side effects of Amygdalin treatment are like
the symptoms of cyanide poisoning. These symptoms
include:
Nausea andvomiting.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Blue color of the skin due to a
lack of oxygen in theblood.
Liver damage.
Abnormally lowblood pressure.
Droopy upper eyelid.
Trouble walking due to
damagednerves.
Fever.
Mentalconfusion.
Coma.
Death.
The side effects of Amygdalin
appear to depend on the way it is given.More severe side effects
develop when laetrile is given by mouth than when it is given by
injection. These side effects may be increased
by:
Eating raw almonds or crushed
fruit pits.
Eating certain types of fruits and
vegetables, including celery, peaches, bean sprouts, and
carrots.
Taking high doses
ofvitamin
C.
