INFO - ACS: sea cucumber

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American Cancer Society

Sea Cucumber

Other common name(s): beche-de-mer

Scientific/medical name(s): Holothuroidea (many different species

names)

Description/Overview

Sea cucumbers are marine animals that have a soft body with the shape

and texture of a cucumber. The more than 1000 species of sea cucumbers range

in size from 1 inch to several feet long and are found in all oceans,

especially the Indian and the western Pacific.

Some forms of sea cucumber have been used in traditional Asian folk

remedies to help heal wounds and for other conditions such as joint pain and

impotence. They are a regular part of some Asian diets. Modern promoters

claim sea cucumbers contain compounds that fight conditions such as cancer,

arthritis, sports injuries, tendinitis, and other inflammatory diseases.

There is very little reliable scientific evidence to support these claims.

Sea cucumber extract is available as a dietary supplement, either

alone or combined with other ingredients (usually in supplements promoted

" for joint health " ). The supplements contain ground, dried sea cucumber in

tablet form. Sea cucumbers, like all other animals, are made up of thousands

of chemicals, so the exact ingredients of supplements are likely to vary

between products. No standard doses of sea cucumber supplements have been

tested for safety or effectiveness. Because sea cucumber extracts are sold

as dietary supplements (as opposed to drugs), companies that sell them don't

have to prove they are effective, or even safe, as long as they don't claim

they can prevent, treat, or cure a specific disease.

Research is currently under way to determine if some compounds made by

sea cucumbers may be effective against cancer. Compounds called

triterpenoids have shown some promise in lab studies in slowing cancer cell

growth and in stopping the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need

to grow. In another early study, a fatty acid (12-MTA) derived from a sea

cucumber was found to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells in lab

dishes. No studies testing these compounds in animals or humans have been

reported as of yet. Results of such studies are needed to find out if these

compounds are useful against cancer in living organisms.

Sea cucumber supplements have not been tested for safety, and the

possible side effects are unknown. Relying on this type of treatment alone,

and avoiding conventional medical care, may have serious health

consequences.

Revised: 06/01/2005

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Sea_Cucumber.asp?sitearea=ETO

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Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org