La pesca (Prunus persica) è uno dei frutti più diffusi al mondo con un raccolto di 30 milioni di tonnellate nel 2022.

Ha un ciclo riproduttivo breve, ha circa 200 cultivar, appartiene alla famiglia delle Rosaceae.

I cultivar più noti:

• pesca comune (Prunus persica) gialla
• pesca comune (Prunus persica) bianca
• pesca nettarina gialla (Prunus persica var. nucipersica). Buccia liscia. Viene anche chiamata pesca noce
• pesca nettarina bianca (Prunus persica var. nucipersica). Buccia liscia. Viene anche chiamata pesca noce

Nella composizione della pesca vi sono composti fenolici, antociani, fitoestrogeni e flavonoidi.

I composti fenolici comprendono: acido clorogenico, acido neoclorogenico, catechina.

La parte interessante, dal punto di vista salutare è il kernel.

Il tumore al colon è tra le malattie più diffuse al mondo ed è direttamente dipendente da una dieta non corretta che comprende un alto contenuto di grassi saturi, scarsa assunzione di fibre alimentari, alcol. Il kernel della pesca, come quello dell'albicocca, è composto da glicosidi come amigdalina, acido oleico e acido linoleico nonchè da un buon contenuto di flavonoidi. Questo studio di due ricercatori dell'Università di Cape Town ha dimostrato la potenziale attività antitumorale dell'estratto di kernel di pesca su cellule cancerogene del colon (1).

In un altro studio, un estratto alcolico di kernel di pesca ha mostrato attività antinfiammatoria, antinocicettiva ed antipiretica (2).

L'amigdalina, un glicoside cianogenide contenuto nel kernel dell'albicocca, ma anche in quello di mandorle e pesche, è stata accreditata dalla letteratura scientifica di effetti soppressivi sullo sviluppo del cancro al colon. L'assunzione giornaliera di kernel, basata su una forma "controllata" di assunzione, può essere considerata un agente chemiopreventivo (3).

Attenzione: si sottolinea la parola "controllata" in quanto l'amigdalina contiene cianuro, un veleno potente e letale. In questo studio viene presentato il caso di un bambino di 3 anni con intossicazione grave dovuta ad ingestione di 3 kernel di albicocca (4). Sono quindi sconsigliate le cure fai da te. 

Pesca studi

Bibliografia_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Cassiem W, de Kock M. The anti-proliferative effect of apricot and peach kernel extracts on human colon cancer cells in vitro. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Jan 29;19(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2437-4. 

Abstract. Background: Colorectal malignant neoplasms is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women in the developed world and the incidence has recently increased markedly in South Africa. Studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of Amygdalin, a cyanogenic compound found in both peach and apricot kernels, in its ability to suppress the development of colon cancer. The focus of this study was to investigate the potential anti-proliferative properties of various apricot and peach kernels extractions from South Africa and China and to monitor alterations in cell cycle kinetics in colon cancer cells.....Conclusion: Abrogation of the block by exhaustion of the cyanide production, most likely allowed the cells to resume the cell cycle and continue into mitosis, whereas low ATP levels caused by the presence of amygdalin in the kernels, can also cause the induction of pycnosis or necrosis. These results highlight the possible mechanisms of growth inhibition by amygdalin containing extracts and may contribute towards the development of dietary anti-cancer therapies.

(2) Elshamy AI, Abdallah HMI, El Gendy AEG, El-Kashak W, Muscatello B, De Leo M, Pistelli L. Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory, Antinociceptive, and Antipyretic Activities of Prunus persica var. nucipersica (Nectarine) Kernel. Planta Med. 2019 Aug;85(11-12):1016-1023. doi: 10.1055/a-0955-5876.

Abstract. Nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) is a worldwide appreciated edible subspecies, with a high nutritional value and benefits on human health due to its phenolic content. Despite the large consumption of the fruit, the potential use of its kernel is poorly studied. Herein, the potential pharmacological activities and the phenolic constituents of an alcoholic extract of kernel nectarine fruits were investigated. Administering nectarine kernel extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively) in rats reduced paw edema after carrageenan injection by 11 and 47% in 1 h, 24 and 33% in 2 h, and 23 and 32% in 4 h, when compared to the controls. At the higher dose (100 mg/kg), nectarine kernel extract increased the reaction time in the hot-plate model and produced a significant decrease in the rectal temperature of the pyretic rats, while both doses produced 52 and 59% of writhing inhibition compared to the control group. Total polyphenolic (55.91 ± 5.78 mg/g) and flavonoid (29.89 ± 0.55 mg/g) content indicated that the extract is a promising source of these constituents. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis demonstrated the presence of flavonoids, such as naringenin and apigenin glycosides. The cyanogenic glycosides amigdalin and prunasin were also detected. These results highlight the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of nectarine kernel alcoholic extract, together with significant phenolic content, promoting its exploitation as a source of bioactive molecules.

(3) Cassiem W, de Kock M. The anti-proliferative effect of apricot and peach kernel extracts on human colon cancer cells in vitro. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Jan 29;19(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2437-4. 

Abstract. Background: Colorectal malignant neoplasms is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women in the developed world and the incidence has recently increased markedly in South Africa. Studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of Amygdalin, a cyanogenic compound found in both peach and apricot kernels, in its ability to suppress the development of colon cancer. The focus of this study was to investigate the potential anti-proliferative properties of various apricot and peach kernels extractions from South Africa and China and to monitor alterations in cell cycle kinetics in colon cancer cells.....Conclusion: Abrogation of the block by exhaustion of the cyanide production, most likely allowed the cells to resume the cell cycle and continue into mitosis, whereas low ATP levels caused by the presence of amygdalin in the kernels, can also cause the induction of pycnosis or necrosis. These results highlight the possible mechanisms of growth inhibition by amygdalin containing extracts and may contribute towards the development of dietary anti-cancer therapies.

(4) Dalkıran T, Kandur Y, Ozaslan M, Acıpayam C, Olgar S. Role of Hemodialysis in the Management of Cyanide Intoxication From Apricot Kernels in a 3-Year-Old Child. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2020 Oct;36(10):e582-e584. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001644. 

Abstract. Cyanide (CN) is one among the most potent and rapidly acting lethal poisons, and it may cause death unless immediately diagnosed and treated. We report an unusual case of pediatric CN poisoning after ingestion of apricot kernels containing amygdalin, who survived with antidotal therapy and hemodialysis. A 3-year-old girl presented with respiratory distress and coma following tonic-clonic convulsions after ingestion of 3 apricot kernels. She had severe metabolic acidosis (pH 6.91, bicarbonate [HCO3] 5.6 mEq/L, base excess -26.0 mEq/L). Her blood CN level was measured 3.15 mg/L, 3 hours after ingestion. Hydroxocobalamin could not be administered immediately because it had to be brought from a medical center 4 hours apart. Therefore, a 3-hour hemodialysis session was carried out, following which she showed some clinical improvement. In addition, when hydroxocobalamin was obtained, it was then administered. During follow-up, she was completely asymptomatic with blood pressure, and other hemodynamic parameters normalized. This case presents hemodialysis as a way to correct metabolic derangements from CN poisoning and suggests that it may have a role in select cases of pediatric CN poisoning, especially when CN-scavenging antidotes may be unavailable.