Oregano Water Extract Capable of Slowing Breast Cancer Cell Growth
Mexican researchers have discovered that a water extract of oregano (Lippia graveolens) can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells, including the highly aggressive triple-negative subtype. These significant findings were recently published in the scientific journal Nutrients.
During their experiments, the oregano extract demonstrably reduced the metabolic activity of cancerous cells while causing only minimal damage to healthy cells. For comparison, the scientists also tested carvacrol, a primary compound found within oregano. While carvacrol exhibited a stronger anti-cancer effect, it unfortunately proved to be more toxic to normal, healthy cells.
Carvacrol is a natural phenolic component present in the essential oils of both oregano and thyme. It is widely recognized for its antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and is actively being studied as a potential anti-tumor agent. However, in its pure, isolated form, its action is considered too aggressive, which limits its broad application. In contrast, the water extract of oregano contains a complex array of bioactive substances, which seems to lead to a milder and more selective therapeutic effect.
The study`s authors emphasize that oregano extract represents a promising avenue for developing complementary or auxiliary therapies for breast cancer, particularly for its difficult-to-treat forms where current options are limited.
In related research, scientists previously found that a combination of curcumin and tryptophan provides a strong protective effect against inflammatory processes in the intestines.
