The common sweetener could have an unspecified potential to combat aggressive cancer, discovers the study
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A domestic sweetener could have the potential to create an anticancer treatment.
New research at the University of Hiroshima in Japan revealed that Stevia leaf extract could help fight pancreatic cancer cells.
The Stevia plant leaves (Stevia Rebaudiana) are used to make Stevia extract, a naturally sweet substance commonly used as a sugar substitute.
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The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, investigated the anti -cancer properties of the stevia leaf extract when fermenting with a certain strain of bacteria.
In laboratory investigation, the fermented extract exhibited “significantly improved antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity” against pancreatic cancer cells, researchers revealed.
The researchers discovered that the chemical properties of Stevia plants extract could help fight pancreatic cancer cells. (Istock)
This led them to believe that this substance could serve as a “promising candidate for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.”
Paul E. Oberstein, MD, medical oncologist and deputy director of the pancreatic cancer center at the Nyu Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, shared his thoughts in an interview with News Digital.
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“This is an interesting study because it evaluated something derived from a natural plant (Stevia) and showed that it can be useful to prevent cancer cells from growing in the laboratory,” he said.
“As the authors point out, the Stevia Real plant does not seem to have any benefit to stop cancer, so they had to use a chemical process to change the plant and strengthen it with a fermentation process.”
“This is the process of discovering new treatments, some of which turn out to be absolute game changers.”
Oberstein recommended approaching this with caution, since it is unknown whether to alter the plant will lead to side effects or toxicity.
The study was not conducted in humans, so “there is still a lot of unknown about whether this will help patients,” added the oncologist.
The study was not conducted in humans, so there is still much to be unknown if this will help patients, “said an oncologist. (Istock)
As Stevia extract only does not have an impact on cancer cells, Oberstein said these findings will probably not lead to immediate changes in treatment plans.
“The study suggests that if Stevia can be changed in the laboratory, it can have an impact, so it is expected to try it even more and determine if this effect occurs when proven on people and if it does not cause new side effects,” he added.
“I hope the researchers continue to test this in several formats and in people.”
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Dr. Kristen Arnold, surgical oncologist and specialist in pancreatic cancer at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, reacted to these studies in a separate interview with News Digital.
“Pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive malignancy,” he said. “And we know that even with the most aggressive therapies, unfortunately, our results are not good.”
The stevia used as a beverage sweetener shows no benefit to combat cancer in its current form. (Istock)
“As a community of pancreas cancer, we spend a lot of time and there is a lot of continuous effort to try to find better modalities to treat this disease.”
Although more research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings, Arnold said the study encourages it.
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“I think the data is very early to know if the game will finally change, but it is very exciting to know that we are finding some positive preclinical data,” he said.
“This is the process of how we discover new treatments, some of which turn out to be absolute game changers and make dramatic changes in the lives of our patients.”
“Not everything emerges, but it is a process of discovery,” Arnold added.
“Pancreas cancer is a very aggressive malignant neoplasia,” said an oncologist. “And we know that even with the most aggressive therapies, unfortunately, our results are not good.” (Istock)
For those with pancreas cancer, Arnold recommends seeking appropriate clinical trial opportunities as the new science develops.
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“Clinical trials are, ultimately, what we determine how we treat patients on a day -to -day basis,” he added.
News Digital contacted the study authors to comment.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for News Digital.