While stevia is usually recognized for its ability to be a natural sugar substitute, there is new attention being drawn to stevia for an entirely new reason - its potential ability to kill cancer cells.
A team of researchers at Hiroshima University recently published findings confirming that when stevia is fermented with a unique form of bacteria found only on banana leaves, stevia becomes a natural material that can kill pancreatic cancer cells but does not harm healthy kidney cells.
According to Dr. Anjali Mehra, a Delhi-based expert in nutritional pharmacology, "Stevia has always been known for its role in blood sugar regulation, but the recent findings open a new window into cancer prevention research - especially aggressive cancers like pancreatic cancer."
Here’s how this simple herb could change health and wellness:
1. Stevia Kills Pancreatic Cancer Cells: Researchers fermented stevia extract with a probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T, derived from banana leaves. This process fermented stevia extract into a new compound, named chlorogenic acid methyl ester (CAME). CAME had greater toxicity toward pancreatic cancer (PANC-1) cells than the unfermented extract and exhibited a safety profile for healthy kidney cells. “The fermentation process leverages stevia’s latent potential, generating new types of unique bioactive compounds,” explains Dr. Mehra.
2. Increases Natural Antioxidant Capacity: Fermented stevia has a greater ability to provide bioactive molecules that help reduce oxidative stress (i.e., damage caused to cells from free radicals believed to cause cancer, speed ageing, and increase chronic inflammation). “Greater antioxidant activity means greater potential for cellular protection and a more robust immune response,” says Dr. Mehra.
3. Supports-Based Probiotic Therapies: The bacteria studied, Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T, are of the lactic-acid family. While they assist with fermentation, these probiotics may also promote gut health, as gut health is implicated in immune function and disease prevention. "This is a great example of how probiotics and medicinal herbs can work together to create natural therapies," Dr. Mehra adds.
4. Non-Cytotoxic to Healthy Cells: Unlike conventional chemotherapies, which often target both healthy and cancer cells, the fermented stevia extract only targeted cancer cells, while leaving the healthy HEK-293 kidney cells unaffected, even at high concentrations. "Selective cytotoxicity is important for future therapies; this extract shows potential for precision," Dr. Mehra notes.
Provides an Additional Pathway in Herbal Cancer Research
Additionally, the research identifies microbial biotransformation - the use of bacteria to change herbal compounds into more active compounds. This method could ultimately enhance the therapeutic value of other plant-based therapies.
What’s Next?
The Hiroshima group is also going to test the fermented stevia extract in animal models, to see how it behaves in a full biological system. Then, the group can begin developing clinical trials
Stevia is no longer simply a zero-calorie sweetener. With banana leaf-derived probiotics, stevia can perhaps be a natural weapon against one of the worst cancers on the planet. More research is needed, but the identification of CAME and its specific actions is a step forward for plant-based, probiotic-enhanced cancer therapies.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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