Prepared by: Prof. Dr. Younis Abdul Redha Al-Khafaji
In a scientific breakthrough that raises hopes in the global battle against one of the deadliest forms of cancer, a study conducted by researchers at Hiroshima University in Japan has revealed promising therapeutic potential in an extract derived from stevia leaves fermented with bacteria isolated from banana leaves.
According to the findings published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the extract demonstrated significant effectiveness in eliminating pancreatic cancer cells without harming healthy cells, paving the way for the development of a natural and safer alternative to conventional chemotherapy treatments.
A New Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer
Associate Professor Narandala Danjitsudol from the Department of Probiotic Science for Preventive Medicine at Hiroshima University emphasized that the incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer continue to rise globally, with the five-year survival rate not exceeding 10%. He stressed the urgent need for discovering new, more effective compounds.
In this context, microbial biotransformation is emerging as a key to unlocking the therapeutic potential hidden in medicinal plants. The study concluded that fermenting stevia extract produces biologically active compounds capable of effectively killing cancer cells.
The research team compared the effects of fermented stevia extract—using a bacterial strain known as FSLE—with the effects of non-fermented extract on pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1) and healthy kidney cells (HEK-293).
The results showed that the fermented extract had high cytotoxicity against cancer cells while maintaining good safety levels for healthy cells, even at the highest concentration used.
Professor Masanori Sugiyama, head of the research team, noted that his lab had isolated more than 1,300 strains of lactic acid bacteria from various plant sources and evaluated their health effects.
Sugiyama confirmed that the current study aims to identify the key compounds that enhance biological activity, which could contribute to improving the effectiveness of herbal medicines in cancer prevention and treatment—particularly when combined with natural probiotics.
These findings suggest the potential development of a new treatment derived from stevia—a plant traditionally used as a natural sweetener—which could become a valuable asset in the fight against one of the most dangerous forms of cancer. The study is expected to pave the way for further research into microbial fermentation and its role in enhancing the medicinal efficacy of plants.
Al-Mustaqbal University the First in Iraq