Cancer-Destroying Mint Leaf Discovered

Cancer-Destroying Mint Leaf Discovered

By Charlie Hamilton, PA News

Scientists hunting a cure for cancer have discovered a type of mint leaf that can destroy cancer cells, it emerged today.

Experts have used a type of Chinese mint to create a chemical that destroys the blood vessels that feed the tumour, causing the cells to die.

The chemical has so far only been tested in the laboratory but experts hope to begin human trials as soon as funding can be secured.

Salford University’s Professor Alan McGown, who has led the research, said the findings were “very exciting” and could pave the way for better targeted cancer treatments.

He said: “All cancers require a blood supply if they are to survive and grow.

“If we can target and destroy these blood vessels ten we will have a treatment that will be applicable to all forms of cancer in both children and adults.”

The substance is formed from an extract derived from a Chinese relative of common garden mint, scutellaria barbata.

Whereas traditional cancer treatments work by attempting to destroy the cancer cells themselves, this new substance attacks the tumour’s blood vessels, starving it of oxygen and nutrients.

Dr Sylvie Ducki, who worked on the team carrying out the research, added this type of treatment would reduce side effects.

She said: “While most current chemotherapy target things that are present in tumours, many of these characteristics are also present in healthy cells, leading to side effects such as hair loss.

“Here we have a drug that targets very specifically the blood vessels which feed the tumour.”

Researchers hope to have completed live trials within 18 months and human trials within three years, if funding can be found.
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http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3165619

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