Many readers know the installation Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), a member of the Chrysanthemum family, sometimes keys. It is a happy multi-year with a wealth of white pompon-like flowers, like a shower of small daisies. Feverfew is often mixed bouquets and for me, is the essence of summer.

Others know this plant as a source of products of plant origin release. A traditional use of febrifuge (fever or mitigation), it is clear from its name. It is also very popular remedy for migraine. I have a product Feverfew in my chest in anticipation of the summer with a friend, who is vulnerable to these massive headaches (Pfaffenrath 2002, Murphy 1988).

Now, scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered that an extract of Feverfew is effective against a type of human leukemia. Monica L. Guzman, PhD, and Craig T. Jordan, PhD, report Feverfew extracts kill malignant cells more than any treatment you have tried. The active ingredient is parthenolide, one of the nature of Sesquiterpene Lactones in plants. The U.S. National Cancer Institute enough passion for this work, it has in the shortcut to the program, which aims for drugs by the laboratory for human clinical trials as quickly as possible.

“This is a very important step in creating the basis for the future development of a new treatment for leukemia,” said Mr. Jordan. “We have proof that we kill leukemia stem cells such agents, and it’s good news.”

A focus on stem cells

What is particularly interesting is that this extract Feverfew is the first known to destroy the leukemia-myeloid stem cells. Increasingly, cancer research is passing through the cells of the primary source of cancer. It is at the level of malignancy was born, and if not to attack at this level can rarely be controlled, the less treatment.

In the 19 century, there were many signs indicating that primitive cells, the cells based “primarily on the development of cancer. A highlight was a century ago, while the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, embryologist John Beard, DSc (1858-1924) proposed the theory that cancer is, in fact, malignant transformation of this he called pluripotent germ cells. It seems almost certain that Beard gave a brief description of stem cells and their passion to a malignant transformation. Beard was behind the idea with interest, but later, marginalization and, finally, almost into oblivion. However, his philosophy is not kept alive by the work of a loner, like the biologist Ernst T. Krebs, Sr. and Jr., HH Beard, William D. Kelley, DDS, et al. Click here for more information on Professor John Beard.

In recent years, academic scientists have cancer stem cells in the blood and brain tumors and breast cancer. The work of Michael Clarke, MD, and his post-doctoral student, Mohammed Al-Hajj, PhD, University of Michigan, was especially influential. Al-Hajj and Clarke showed that, contrary to what often happens that all the tumor cells are also capable of metastatic cancer. In fact, found that being breast tumors, only a small portion – less than one percent – of tumor cells are capable of causing metastasis. These malignant cells identifiable as stem cells. Click here for more information on Dr. Clarke work.l

Research, in 2005, Jean-Marie Houghton, MD, PhD, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, showed that in certain types of cancer cells in the stomach, the introduction of non-cancer tissues in the stomach itself, but also that the stem cells, the migration of bone marrow. Start your order, in which case a low level of infection of the stomach, is usually caused by Helicobacter pylori. Bone marrow cells (BMDCs) in the stomach in response to this infection, as part of the trial by the body to heal. Once in the stomach, BMDCs deduce the characteristics of surrounding tissue, but under the influence of hormonal signals by inflammation of the tissues, are subject to malignant transformation. And click here to learn more about the work of Dr. Houghton.

The latest results from the University of Rochester in Feverfew, although interesting from the standpoint of pharmacology, are even more important with regard to basic research. He has the scientific, that stem cells in the origin and evolution of cancer.

Currently, other treatments for AML, including the recent approval of the drug Glivec, only moderately effective. This may be because they have no influence on the malignant cells, so that you drag the weeds, but not the root, “as Dr. Craig T. Jordan, a University of Rochester said. In laboratory experiments, scientists from Rochester have shown that parthenolide is, indeed, more selective recruitment cancer by apoptosis (programmed cell death), the standard drug cytarabine (Ara-C).

Have been previous experiences show that the links Feverfew stop the growth of cancer cells. A phase I study, it was found that there is also relatively non-toxic, about the basis for future studies on the effectiveness (Curry 2004).

Feverfew available

After a press of the University of Rochester, a person with leukemia may not be able to have enough medication OTC herbal to contain the disease. It is unclear how this information has been in the absence of clinical studies. Indeed, patients with leukemia, you can do with your hematologist-oncologist.

Feverfew standardized products are available for the treatment of migraine and other conditions. Many brands for their products “high parthenolide. It should read labels carefully, but. I have several products that claim, 2, 5 or even 7% by weight of parthenolide. Some of them are mysterious business. We must put a product on the market of a company that has something important to lose, to mislead the public about the strength and purity of their products.

One such company is Nature’s Way. The company markets three products Feverfew: Feverfew Leaf, Feverfew extract and a concentrated product MygraFew. It asserts that the contents of a standard 2% parthenolide. Thus, more than 30 mg tablet contains 600 micrograms parthenolide.

Precautions

The label warns that Feverfew is not recommended for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women or children under two years. Some people may also experience irritation or oral complaints if the use of the product. If irritation occurs, the manufacturer recommends using the product immediately. Depending on the site www.intelihealth.com:

Feverfew has been well tolerated in studies. The most frequent side effects or swelling of the mouth ulcers, including swelling of the lips, bleeding gums and loss of taste. If stopped suddenly after long Feverfew can rebound headaches, anxiety, sleep disorders, pain or muscle stiffness. Some people may be more or evaluate the rapid heartbeat. Skin irritation or eczema may be persons with allergies Feverfew. Sensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight or sunlamps) has been reported with other plants in the annex of the family compound, and may also be possible with Feverfew. Less common side effects are stomach, as digestive disorders, nausea, gas, constipation, diarrhea, bloating or heartburn.

, It is not known how often these side effects occur. The site also noted that negative Feverfew May combine certain medications:

Theoretically, Feverfew risk of bleeding may increase if with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or anti-platelet drugs. Are examples of warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Feverfew is also the risk of bleeding when using anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox). However, it is possible that Feverfew may be the effectiveness of painkillers.

“Based on the results of some studies on animals have suggested that Feverfew May exacerbate symptoms of depression or reducing the effectiveness of antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac). Feverfew should be used with caution in persons with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders.

Current research on the use of Feverfew in the treatment of AML is a very good news. Apart from anything else, it reinforces the argument that what is the cause of cancer is not a body (somatic) cells, but a particular type of stem cells. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the understanding cancer and its treatment.

However, even with the support of the NIC, can take years before this flower, it is on the secondary market. One thing is certain. In about 20 cents per tablet, costs and comparison with Glivec patent which, though more research, costs about 100 U.S. dollars per day.

National debate

It is a great national debate in the United States for research on stem cells. The use of stem cells has been limited by the government.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), in principle, in favor of stem cell research. An NIH press release states:

“The research involving human pluripotent stem cells … promising new therapies and therapeutics for many diseases and injuries weakening. NIH considers the potential for medical services required of the technology of pluripotent stem cells and deserves exercise ethical standards. ”

However, there is a strange lack of support for stem cell research, but at least at the time of the NCI. For example, if I NCI budget proposal in 2006, I could find a look at stem cells in the whole document.

Similarly, could not refer to stem cells Andrew C. von Eschenbach’s “vision for the national cancer screening in the United States.” This is the statement that the Director of NCI their views on how, for the suffering and death from cancer in 2015. “A new era is at hand,” he says, “a time when no one suffers or dies as a result of cancer.” It is difficult to imagine how the NIC to achieve these objectives, without a serious involvement in major and exciting research initiative of our time.