South African Plant Shows Promise Against Drug-Resistant Cancers

A medicinal shrub long used in traditional South African medicine may offer new hope in the fight against hard-to-treat cancers, according to research highlighted by TV BRICS.

 Scientists have found that extracts from Lessertia frutescens, commonly known as the "cancer bush," demonstrate promising anti-tumour activity in laboratory studies.

Researchers at North-West University tested the plant on human cancer cells and advanced three-dimensional tumour models, finding potential effectiveness against drug-resistant small-cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer.

The findings have sparked interest among scientists seeking new treatment options for cancers that respond poorly to conventional therapies. Researchers are now working to identify the plant compounds responsible for the anti-cancer effects and understand how they function.

The next phase of the project will involve animal studies to assess safety and effectiveness before any potential clinical trials. Scientists also believe the research could support the development of locally produced herbal medicines and create new opportunities for South Africa's agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors.