A natural substance known as chlorophyllin may be useful in the treatment of cancer, a new study shows. A derivative of chlorophyll (a green pigment found in most plants), chlorophyllin may be 10 times more potent than the commonly used chemotherapeutic drug hydroxyurea when it comes to knocking out colon cancer cells.
In test-tube studies on human cells, investigators found that chlorophyllin caused colon cancer cells to spend more time than normal in the phase in which DNA is duplicated. By slowing up the process of cancer-cell growth, the study's authors suggest, chlorophyllin may help spur the death of cancer cells. In particular, chlorophyllin significantly decreased levels of ribonucleotide reductase, an enzyme crucial to cell growth.
Chlorophyllin must be more extensively studied - especially in combination with cancer drugs - before its effects can be tested on humans, the study's authors note.
Often touted as a natural immune-booster and detox agent, wheatgrass juice is particularly rich in chlorophyll. While there's no evidence that drinking wheatgrass can help fight cancer, research suggests that the juice may ease symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
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