Sugar substitute can kill pancreatic cancer cells, researchers discover

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There is a potential treatment on the horizon for pancreatic cancer and it involves fermenting a sugar substitute.

Stevia, when fermented with bacteria from banana leaves, can kill pancreatic cancer cells without harming healthy kidney cells, say researchers at Japan’s Hiroshima University.

Primarily used in zero-calorie beverages, stevia is extracted from plants native to South America and can be up to 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.

The sweet findings were published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Masanori Sugiyama, a professor in the Department of Probiotic Science for Preventive Medicine, said research into natural plant extracts for pharmaceutical purposes has emerged as an strong strategy for cancer treatments.

He said his lab evaluated the health benefits of more than 1,300 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from fruits, vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants.

“In this study, we aimed to compare LAB-fermented and non-fermented extracts to identify key compounds that enhance bioactivity, ultimately contributing to the efficacy of herbal medicine in cancer prevention and therapy,” Sugiyama told Science Daily.

After fermenting the stevia leaf extract with a banana leaf probiotic, researchers found that the “fermentation process enhances the bioactivity of the extract” versus the non-fermented extract.

Following additional analysis, the active anti-cancer compound was isolated to chlorogenic acid methyl ester.

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Researchers said they will use a mouse model to test the effectiveness of various dosages to the cancer treatment.

“Globally, the incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer continue to rise, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10%,” said co-author Narandalai Danshiitsoodol, associate professor in the Department of Probiotic Science for Preventive Medicine.

“Pancreatic cancer is highly invasive and prone to metastasis, showing significant resistance to existing treatments, such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As such, there is an urgent need to identify new and effective anti-cancer compounds, particularly those derived from medicinal plants.”

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