Fewer than 6% patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas
live up to five years after diagnosis. Chemotherapy is currently the standard
treatment, however, these tumors often develop drug resistance over time.
Agents for increasing the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy or reducing the
cancer cells' chemo-resistance to the drugs are required to improve treatment
outcome.
One of the recent studies produced really promising results
for the alternative treatment. A hot-water extract of moringa oleifera leaves was shown to kill up to 97% of human
pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-1) after 72 hours in the performed study.
Moringa, also called the “miracle tree,” has a long history of use in
traditional and Ayurvedic medicine due to its many beneficial properties as an
anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antidepressant, anti-diabetes, pain and fever
reducer and even relief from asthma. But it also contains numerous powerful
anti-cancer compounds such as kaempferol, rhamnetin, isoquercetin and others.
Latest research is now proving out moringa’s anti-cancer
potential with positive results so far against ovarian cancer, liver cancer,
lung cancer, and melanoma. Moringa is now extensively cultivated throughout
Southeast Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and Central America, but the largest
crop in the world is produced by India – where it grows natively.
That may be one reason why the death rate from pancreatic
cancer in India is a stunning 84% lower than in the United States.
Moringa leaf extract was also tested on human pancreatic
cancer cells at the Laboratory of Herbal Medicine and Cancer Research in
Israel, and the results showed that Moringa extract was able to inhibit the
growth of every single cell used in the study. Moringa contains benzyl
isothiocyanate, a compound that has been proven to cause apoptosis in breast
cancer cells. Another study performed in India found that topical application
of Moringa seedpod extract was able to reduce the amount of skin papillomas in
mice.
Also Known As
Moringa pterygosperma, Ben Oil Tree, Horse Radish Tree, Tree
of Life, Miracle Tree, Drumstick Tree, Jiksna gandha, Akshiva, Mochak, Sahijan,
Zogale.
What is it?
Moringa oleifera is a tree that is sometimes
called the Tree of Life or a Miracle Tree, but rather than this being in
reference to its potential medicinal usage this is actually referring to how it
is a very valuable food crop (it is drought resistant, grows very fast, and is
highly nutritive) and even beyond food it serves many benefits in third world
countries such as having an ability to be used for some crafts (due to being a
tree) and cleaning water.
For usage as a supplement, moringa oleifera is
recommended mostly as being a highly nutritious antioxidant. While it is indeed
nutritious, supplemental dosages are too low to acquire adequate nutrition from
and this claim is not relevant; it is a relatively potent antioxidant, and
while it seems to be less potent than other herbs when tested outside of a
living system it does appear to be quite potent when tested in living models.
The reason for the increased potency in living models is not known (although it
is possible that it can induce genetic transcription similar to Sulforaphane since
the bioactives are similar in structure), but the antioxidant properties seem
to underlie the vast majority of benefits associated with this supplement.
There are also anti-inflammatory effects that, while less
studies, seem to be quite effective; one of the bioactives, RBITC, is effective
in suppressing macrophage activation in the nanomolar range which is worth some
future research into. Beyond that, there does appear to be a nice anti-diabetic
effect that has gone some very preliminary human testing which suggests that
this plant may benefit pancreatic function and reduce blood glucose secondary
to that.
Why it can be
helpful?
Moringa oleifera provides a rare combination
of zeatin (a potent antioxidant), quercetin (a flavonoid known for its ability to
neutralize free radicals and relieve inflammation), beta-sitosterol (a nutrient superstar that blocks cholesterol
formation or build-up and is an anti-inflammatory agent for the body), caffeoylquinic acid (another powerful anti-inflammatory compound),
and kaempferol (a key nutrient that promotes healthy body
cellular function). All in all, enzymatically active and
bioavailable Moringa oleifera provides 36 natural anti-inflammatory agents.
Free radical damage caused by electron-seeking, highly reactive, oxidative
molecules has been identified as the source of many maladies through mechanisms
such as inhibition of telomerase, changes to cellular permeability and DNA
damage. It has been established that Moringa oleifera contains 46 different antioxidants.
According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s
website, “In vitro and animal studies
indicate that the leaf, seed, and root extracts of Moringa Oleifera have
anticancer hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial,
antifungal, antiviral, and anti-sickling effects. They may also protect
against Alzheimer’s disease, stomach ulcers, help lower cholesterol levels,
and promote wound healing.” All I can say is “WOW!” When mainstream cancer
clinics start to tout the benefits of a natural botanical, then we know that
there must be something to it! But that’s just the tip of the iceberg with Moringa oleifera!
This “miracle tree” is able to provide all of the amino
acids required by the human body. Protein is needed not only for the structural
components such as muscle and tissues, but neurotransmitters, hormones, enzymes
and immunoglobulins as well. There are various nutrients that can have a
beneficial effect on enhancing immune system function and Moringa oleifera certainly qualifies in
this category due to the ability to provide several of these phytonutrients.
Speaking of the immune system, one of the functions of the
immune system is to keep pathogens from growing, proliferating and damaging
tissues. Moringa oleifera has
been shown to be anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and antibiotic, which
will certainly lighten the load on the immune system. In addition, Moringa
oleiferademonstrates the ability to be a potent detoxifying agent.
Amazingly, the leaves of this extraordinary tree contain 7
times the vitamin C found in oranges, 4 times the calcium in milk, 4 times the
vitamin A in carrots, 2 times the protein of yogurt, 25 times the iron in
spinach, and 3 times the potassium in bananas.
How to take?
There is not a lot of human evidence at this point in time,
but the majority of animal evidence uses rats as the models and uses a water
extract of the leaves. When those conditions are met, it appears that
150-200mg/kg oral intake is deemed as optimal (greater potency than higher and
lower doses) and in this case a preliminary human dose can be estimated at:
- 1,600-2,200
mg for a 150lb person
- 2,100-2,900
mg for a 200lb person
- 2,700-3,600 mg for a 250lb person
Due to the above ranges being the most potent anti-oxidative
doses (with higher doses being less anti-oxidative) and the human studies
currently in existence either using 500mg of the leaf extract of 3 grams of the
seeds, it may be prudent to treat the ranges mentioned above as a maximal level
of intake since higher doses have been noted to be genotoxic.
Warning
Moringa Oleifera
leaves, flowers, seeds and tree bark is generally considered safe for use and
rare side effects include nausea, diarrhoea and heartburn. However, the root of
the tree is not fit for human consumption as it contains toxic substances that
could potentially be fatal.
Moringa oleifera
appears to be traditionally used as an aborifacient to abort pregnancies in the
early stages, and oral ingestion of 175mg/kg of the leaves to pregnant rats for
5-10 days was able to induce abortions in all drug-treated rats.
So, pregnant women should avoid using this supplement, especially
at the early pregnancy stage. Nursing mother should also be careful with Moringa Oleifera as more research is
needed in this area first.
Sources and Additional
Information:
