Fermented Stevia Extract Shows Promise in Fighting Pancreatic Cancer in Lab Tests

Researchers at Hiroshima University have found that fermented stevia extract may fight pancreatic cancer without harming healthy cells, making it a potential new cancer treatment. The study found that fermentation of stevia with a probiotic produced beneficial compounds that killed cancer cells while sparing healthy kidney cells. Further analysis identified chlorogenic acid methyl ester as the key anticancer agent, which stops cancer cells from multiplying and triggers them to self-destruct. The researchers plan to conduct further tests in mice.

Researchers at Hiroshima University have made significant strides in the fight against pancreatic cancer, with a groundbreaking discovery that fermented stevia extract may hold potential as a new cancer treatment. The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, found that fermentation of stevia with a probiotic produced beneficial compounds that selectively target and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, particularly kidney cells.

The key discovery lies in the fermentation process, which transforms the stevia leaf extract into a more potent form. This process yields a compound called chlorogenic acid methyl ester (CAME), which has been shown to be particularly effective in killing pancreatic cancer cells, specifically the PANC-1 cell line, without harming healthy cells. CAME achieves this by triggering programmed cell death in cancer cells and preventing them from multiplying or spreading to other parts of the body.

The study's findings are particularly encouraging given the high mortality rate and low five-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer. Traditional treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, have shown limited success, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. The fermented stevia extract offers a promising avenue, with its targeted effects and low toxicity making it a safer alternative to current treatments.

However, it is essential to note that while the laboratory results are highly promising, further research is needed to confirm these effects. The researchers plan to conduct animal tests using a mouse model to evaluate the effectiveness of various dosages and to eventually progress to human clinical trials. This cautious optimism is echoed by medical experts who caution that while fermentation enhances the plant extract's potency, the long-term efficacy and safety of the treatment need to be thoroughly tested.

This discovery aligns with a growing scientific interest in utilizing microbial biotransformation and natural plant extracts as adjunct treatments in oncology. Fermentation not only enhances the antioxidant properties of stevia but also unlocks rare metabolites with potent biological activities. While more development and comprehensive testing are required, fermented stevia extract stands out as a promising candidate in the search for safer, more effective treatments against pancreatic cancer.

References:

[1] https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/fermented-stevia-extract-as-cure-for-pancreatic-cancer-possible-japanese-scientists-make-a-breakthrough-using-sugar-substitute/amp_articleshow/123157930.cms

[2] https://torontosun.com/health/sugar-substitute-can-kill-pancreatic-cancer-cells-researchers-discover

[3] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/ACTU/actuate-therapeutics-to-collaborate-with-incyte-corporation-and-the-1cjb4q7b1gsl.html