Originally published July 25 2005
Hangover remedy ingredient may help fight prostate cancer
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Scientists believe a compound in the milk thistle herb, or "liver cleanser," which is used as the main ingredient in many hangover remedies, can also be used to fight prostate cancer.
The key ingredient in many hangover remedies may be the primary drug used to fight cancer.
Scientists have uncovered a compound they believe can pack a powerful punch against one of the most common cancers in men.
The herb, also known as the "liver cleanser," is being researched to reveal if it has any anti-metastatic properties.
Milk thistle's power against prostate cancer was first discovered during a search for cancer fighting compounds in natural products like green tea and soy.
David Kroll, Ph.D., and an herbal researcher, says the discovery of milk thistle's affinity to diminish the growth of cancer was first recognized in laboratory animals.
"[We] stumbled upon the fact that milk thistle, an antioxidant supplement, seemed to have unusually good activity against human prostate cancer in rodent models," says Kroll.
Also discovered was that the herbal supplement had a powerful effect against aggressive forms of the disease.
In the latest development, Kroll has isolated a compound he believes is attributed to the herb's prostate cancer fighting power.
"So what that leads us to think, is that we may be able to improve somewhat on nature by enriching milk thistle extracts for this one component, or possibly isolating this one single component and trying to develop it as a drug, or as a dietary supplement," says Kroll.
The scientists are now testing the isolated compound in mice, with hopes they can find the right concoction to one day test in men with prostate cancer.
The milk thistle compounds aren't ready for human testing yet, but lab studies have also shown the herbal compounds can help stop the growth of skin cancer and breast cancer cells.
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