What the Science Actually Shows About “Cancer‑Killing” Plants (with a Focus on Lung Cancer)
First, here are some plants or plant-derived compounds that have been studied for their effects on lung cancer cells in vitro (in a lab). None are approved as standalone cures, and their “killing” of cancer cells is in very controlled lab settings. Here are a few examples:
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Deguelin
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Deguelin is a natural extract found in Mundulea sericea (a plant native to Africa and South America). NutraIngredients.com
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According to a study from UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, deguelin inhibited the growth of precancerous and cancerous human bronchial epithelial cells by promoting cell death, without apparent toxicity to normal cells. NutraIngredients.com
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It appears to act by inhibiting Akt activation, a signaling pathway that helps cancer cells survive. NutraIngredients.com
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Important caveat: These are lab cell line results, not clinical trials.
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Verbascum ponticum
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A study showed that extract from Verbascum ponticum (a type of mullein) induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) in A549 lung cancer cells via a mitochondrial pathway. MDPI+1
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Specifically, it disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential and released a protein called AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor), leading to cancer cell death. PubMed+1
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Again: in vitro only — not a proven cancer treatment in humans.
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Berberine
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Berberine is found in plants like barberry and goldenseal. uts.edu.au
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Research from the University of Technology Sydney suggests that berberine can suppress proliferation of lung cancer cells and also reduce inflammation in lung tissue exposed to cigarette smoke. uts.edu.au
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This is promising, but very preliminary — and not a substitute for medical treatment.
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Sweet Potato Leaf Extracts
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A study found that extracts from sweet potato leaves (particularly certain colored varieties) significantly inhibited the survival of lung cancer cells. News-Medical
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The effect is believed to come from polyphenols and anthocyanins in the leaves. News-Medical
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Not a cure — just evidence for potential bioactive compounds.
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Calotropis gigantea
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Some folk‑medicine studies reference Calotropis species as having cytotoxic effects against non-small-cell lung carcinoma cell lines. ويكيبيديا
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But “cytotoxic” in a petri dish is very different from being a safe, effective cancer therapy.
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Why “86% of Lung Cancer Cells Killed” Claims Are Very Dangerous to Treat as Truth
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In vitro vs. in vivo: Most studies are done on cancer cell lines in a lab, not in living humans. Just because a compound kills cancer cells in a dish doesn’t mean it's safe or effective in the body.
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Dosage issues: The concentration of plant extract used in lab studies is often much higher than what you'd get by consuming the plant in food or as a supplement.
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Toxicity: Natural does not mean safe. Some “anticancer” plant compounds can also harm healthy cells or have serious side effects.
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Lack of clinical trials: Very few plant-based compounds have passed rigorous clinical trials to become approved cancer treatments.
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Misleading headlines: Claims like “kills 86% of cancer cells” often come from early-stage studies and can be exaggerated in media or social posts.
What to Do (If This Topic Interests You)
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Talk to a doctor or oncologist: If you’re considering using any supplement or herbal extract, especially for something as serious as cancer, this must be part of a medical discussion.
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Use evidence-based medicine first: Proven cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) are supported by large-scale clinical trials — these plant compounds, for now, are more in the “research” category.
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Support research: You can follow scientific publications to track how plant-based cancer research evolves — but don’t rely on unproven “miracle herb” claims for treatment.
Summary
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There is no verified “plant that kills 86% of lung cancer cells” in humans — such claims are not backed by solid clinical evidence.
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However, several plants (like Mundulea sericea via deguelin, Verbascum ponticum, and sweet potato leaves) show in vitro anticancer activity against lung cancer cell lines in lab studies. uts.edu.au+3NutraIngredients.com+3MDPI+3
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These findings are scientifically interesting but not a substitute for medical care.
If you like, I can dig into peer-reviewed studies to find all the most promising plants currently being researched for lung cancer — and what the real evidence shows today (2025). Do you want me to do that?
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