Recent research has led to the isolation of a potentially powerful anti-cancer drug and a safe, natural pesticide, both contained in substances found in the pawpaw tree. Researchers say the cancer drug, which has been tested only in animals, appears to be significantly more potent than some widely used cancer drugs. While more research needs to be done—the National Cancer Institute has begun its own tests—researchers are encouraged by early testing.
The pawpaw tree, which grows throughout the eastern United States, is a shrublike tree, bearing edible fruit shaped like bananas. The two substances isolated by researchers were found throughout the tree, but mostly in twigs and small branches. Researchers were able to identify the two substances thanks to a new screening test which was devised to rapidly identify potentially useful drugs and pesticides in plants.
The new screening test is based on the fact that most drugs, given in high enough doses, will kill. Researchers expose tiny brine shrimp to plant extracts. According to the researchers, if the shrimp die, the plants contain drugs. If the shrimp live, the plants don’t contain drugs. If the results from step one of the screening test warrant it, potentially useful plant extracts are then placed on tumors which are growing in the laboratory. If the tumors die, the extracts are then tested further for potential anticancer potential.
Apparently, the pawpaw drug acts on cancer cells in a new way, opening up the eventual possibility of an entire new class of anti-cancer drugs. While the research so far is promising, more testing needs to be done.
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