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Scientists in Birmingham have discovered how to create a new cancer treatment from a common wildflower found in the UK.
Their research means that the daisy-like plant called feverfew could be used to develop a new prescription drug in the fight against cancer.
The researchers discovered a method for extracting a natural substance called parthenolide from the leaves of the plant. It has been used to make compounds that have killed cancer cells in laboratory tests.
The compounds, which have destroyed the cells of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, look promising to be turned into drugs, said the University of Birmingham, which led the research.
They seem to kill cancer cells by raising levels of "reactive oxygen species" to a critical point, he added.
Professor John Fossey, of the University's School of Chemistry, said, "This research is important, not only because we have shown a way to produce parthenolide that could make it much more accessible to people. researchers, but also because we have been able to "medicate" properties to kill cancer cells.
"This clearly shows that parthenolide has the potential to move from the flowerbed to the clinic."
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The study is published in the journal MedChemComm.
Feverfew, sold in health food stores as a cure for migraines and inflammatory conditions, is a common flowering plant of the daisy family.
(Image: Record Daily)
The strong-smelling grbad – sometimes confused with chamomile of similar appearance – grows wild on the roads and uncultivated land of the United Kingdom and is also found in gardens.
It has a long history in traditional herbal medicine, dating back to the time of the ancient Greeks.
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As its name suggests, feverfew was primarily a fever treatment – but it has also been used to treat psoriasis, arthritis, dermatitis, insect bites, allergies, asthma, digestive problems, earaches, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, infertility and problems badociated with menstruation and childbirth.
According to the US-based, plant extracts inhibit the release of white blood cell enzymes found in inflamed joints, with a similar anti-inflammatory effect that would occur in the skin to relieve psoriasis.
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