Researchers at the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center found that anthocyanins, a class of flavonoids in black raspberries, inhibited growth and stimulated cancer cell death in an animal study. "Our data provide strong evidence that anthocyanins are important for cancer prevention," said the study’s lead author, Gary D. Stoner, PhD. Stoner and his team found that the extract was nearly as effective in preventing esophageal cancer in rats as whole black raspberries containing the same concentration of anthocyanins. "Ultimately, we hope to test the anthocyanins for effectiveness in multiple organ sites in humans," said Stoner.
Source: American Association for Cancer Research, Jan 8, 2009