By IANS,
Washington : A herb that kills pancreatic cancer cells can also halt pancreatic cancer from developing, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Thymoquinone, the major constituent of the oil extract from a middle-eastern herbal seed called Nigella sativa, reduced the release of inflammatory mediators in pancreatic cancer cells, according to Hwyda Arafat, associate professor of surgery, Jefferson Medical College (JMC).
Nigella sativa seeds and oil are used in traditional medicine in the Middle East and in other parts of Asia, for treating some immunity and inflammatory disorders, Arafat said. Previous studies have also shown it to have anti-cancer effects on prostate and colon cancers, said a Jefferson release.
“These are very exciting and novel results,” Arafat said. “Not only patients with chronic pancreatitis could benefit from this, but also several other groups with risk of development or recurrence of pancreatic cancer, such as high-risk family members and post-surgical patients.
“More importantly, the herb and oil are safe when used moderately, and have been used for thousands of years without reported toxic effects,” she said.