Researchers at Hiroshima University have discovered that fermented stevia extract can effectively target pancreatic cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, offering new hope for a natural treatment option. The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, used microbial fermentation to enhance the anticancer effects of stevia extracts.
Stevia, a naturally sweet herb native to South America, has long been suspected of offering antioxidant and anticancer benefits. However, whole leaf extracts have shown only modest results. The researchers isolated a specific bacterial strain, Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T, which was used to ferment the stevia extract.
The resulting fermented extract, known as FSLE, demonstrated significantly greater cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells than the unfermented extract at equivalent concentrations. Notably, FSLE exhibited lower toxicity toward healthy human kidney cells.
Chemical analysis revealed that the standout compound in FSLE was chlorogenic acid methyl ester (CAME), which is present at a concentration of 374.4 μg/mL. The fermentation process converted the original compound into a more potent form, exhibiting stronger toxicity to cancer cells and pro-apoptotic effects.
The researchers plan to study FSLE in mouse models next to determine its efficacy and identify safe doses for human trials. If successful, this could lead to a new treatment option for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer globally.
Source: https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/natural-sweetener-stevia-found-safe-and-effective-at-killing-pancreatic-cancer-cells