Building on previous research, Philadelphia scientists have found evidence that extract from an herb called Nigella sativa not only kills pancreatic cancer cells but also appears to inhibit the development of the cancer.
Researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University found that thymoquinone, a compound found in the oil extract from the Middle Eastern herbs seed, showed anti-inflammatory properties that reduced the release of inflammatory mediators in pancreatic cancer cells.
In particular, when animals with pancreatic cancer were treated with thymoquinone, 67 percent of their tumors were significantly shrunken and had reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, the scientists claim.
“These are very exciting and novel results,” says Dr. Hwyda Arafat, an associate professor of Surgery at the Jefferson Medical College.
She adds, “These potent effects show promise for the herb as a potential preventive and therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.”
Arafat also stressed Nigella sativa seeds and oil are safe when used moderately, and have been used for thousands of years in traditional Middle Eastern and Asian medicine to treat some immune and inflammatory disorders without known toxic effects.