The extract of a plant that is common in India and China shows promise to destroy the cells of breast cancer and prevents them from multiplying, as found Ratna Ray, Ph.D., professor in the department of pathology at the University Saint Louis.
Habamos bitter melon extract, and is the first report describing the effect of the extract on cancer cells. Our result is encouraging extract induces cell death in breast cancer and reduces their growth and spread significantly, “says Ray.
Ray decided to study the impact of bitter melon extract on breast cancer cells because other research has shown that the substance reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Moreover, the extract is commonly used as folk medicine to treat diabetes in China and India, he said.
Ray conducted the research with human cells in vitro breast cancer. The next step, he says, is proof of bitter melon extract in an animal model to see if it plays a role in stunting or death of breast cancer cells. If results are positive, they could continue human trials.
Although it is too early to know for sure if the bitter melon extract help breast cancer patients, the issue is worthy of study, said Ray.
“The prevention of cancer through the use of natural substances in the diet is considered a practical approach to reduce the increasing incidence of cancer. Consider a population at high risk of breast cancer where bitter melon is taken as a food product will an important area of future research, “said Ray.
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