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Wormwood And Cancer

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A derivative of wormwood used for centuries in Chinese medicine could become a potent weapon in the cancer arsenal, according to researchers at the University of Washington. Scientists bound the wormwood derivative, called artemisinin, to another protein, transferrin, to create a Trojan horse — a compound interpreted by cancer cells as a friendly protein that would provide them iron critical to replicate, but once inside, turns into a free radical that destroys the cell. 12

As a traditional medicine, wormwood was used by herbalists as a bitter to improve digestion, to fight worm infestations (as its name suggests), and to stimulate menstruation. It was also regarded as a useful remedy for liver and gallbladder problems. Recent work suggests it may be a powerful anticancer agent also. Artemisinin has been used for about 30 years in Vietnam and China for cancer treatment. The experience with artemisinin for this purpose is increasing as are the studies of this application. 5

Research professor Henry Lai and assistant research professor Narendra Singh have exploited the chemical properties of a wormwood derivative to target breast cancer cells with surprisingly effective results. A study in the latest issue of the journal Life Sciences describes how the derivative killed virtually all human breast cancer cells exposed to it within 16 hours. 1

"Not only does it appear to be effective, but it’s very selective," Lai said. "It’s highly toxic to the cancer cells but has a marginal impact on normal breast cells." 1

Environmental risk factors for cancer are many. Lifetime exposure to the female hormone estrogen and estrogen-mimicking chemicals such as some pesticides and herbicides has been linked to an increase in breast cancer risk. In 1991, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the pesticide DDT as a possible human carcinogen, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified DDT as a probable human carcinogen. 1

Widely used in Asia and Africa as an anti-malarial, artemisinin has a track record of being relatively safe and causing no known side effects, said Lai, who believes that "the present data indicate that it may be a potent cancer-chemoprevention agent." But the researchers added that additional research needs to be undertaken before the breast cancer prevention properties of artemisinin can be validated. It should also be noted that the study was supported by Chinese pharmaceutical company Chongqing Holley Holdings, a major manufacturer of artemisinin. 15

Most Americans are exposed every day to air toxins emitted by motor vehicles, substances that the EPA says have been proven to cause cancer in humans. "Benzene, says the EPA, "is a known human carcinogen, while formaldehyde; acetaldehyde; 1,3-butadiene; and diesel particulate matter are probable human carcinogens." The EPA has now classified 1,3-butadiene, a gas used commercially in the production of resins and plastics, as a known human carcinogen. 1

Wormwood contains artemisinin which has proved to be a dramatically effective anti-malarial. Clinical trials have shown it to be 90% effective and more successful than standard drugs. In a trial of 2000 patients, all were cured of the disease. 5

For the past ten years, the Hoang medical family, with three generations of sophisticated physicians, have used artemisinin in combination with several other herbs to treat cancer, and eliminate necrosis material from the body; for example, from wounds; from intestines of people who have ulcerative colitis, and from Crohn�s disease. The efficacy of the artemisinin compound is very impressive for the treatment of breast cancer and possibly to prevent it. It is not only because of direct anticancer activity, but also due to hormonal balancing properties of the artemisinin. 49

Studies on an ancient Chinese remedy for malaria are now underway to see if this same herb will be as effective for cancer. Seattle scientists, led by Henry Lai, a bioengineering researcher, have discovered that a compound from the wormwood plant killed virtually all human breast cancer cells exposed to it in a test tube within 16 hours, while leaving healthy cells alone. 42

It seems the malaria parasite and cancer cells have one thing in common. They both like iron. When wormwood comes into contact with iron, a chemical reaction occurs causing free radicals. In the case of malaria, these free radicals attack and bind with membranes of the parasite - effectively killing it. 42

Wormwood has antiprotozoal activity and is especially effective against giardia, but caution is advised as it can cause a worsening of symptoms and mild intestinal irritation initially. It may be used with other herbs known for their antiparasitic activity. 5

The basic strategy is to pump up cancer cells with as much iron as they can hold and then introduce wormwood to kill them�a kind of Trojan horse. In lab tests, after only 8 hours, 75% of the cancer cells were obliterated. Sixteen hours later, nearly 100% of the cancer cells were dead, but the vast majority of normal breast cells did not die. This success is particularly noteworthy because the breast cancer cells used in this experiment had been resistant to radiation. Lai adds, "So that means this approach might work for cancer resistant to conventional therapy." 42

With the knowledge of a high accumulation of iron in cancer cells, researchers Henry Lai and Narenda Singh of the University of Washington became interested in possible Artemisinin activity against malignant cells. In 1995, they published a paper in Cancer Letters concerning the use of artemisinin against numerous cancer cell lines in vitro. 49

Wormwood combinations are taken in small doses for a short period of time, usually a maximum of 4 weeks. It is available in capsules and in liquid form that can be added to water (tincture). The whole herb is sometimes brewed as a tea. Wormwood oil, washes, or poultices can also be used on the skin. Although pure wormwood is not available, "thujone-free" wormwood extract has been approved by the FDA for use in foods and as flavoring in alcoholic drinks such as vermouth. 11

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