Extracts from abalone mushroom treat colon cancer

Israeli scientists have discovered an abalone mushroom extract that has the effect of eliminating colon cancer cells, Reuters reported on December 10.

Scientist Israel Betty Schwartz and her team have found a way to destroy cancer cells with a dish containing alpha-glucan extracted from abalone mushrooms.

Oncologists say it is too early to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the substance, but Professor Schwartz said alpha-glucan has great potential.

Professor Betty Schwartz discovered abalone mushroom contains
substance that helps treat colon cancer - (Photo: Reuters)

'We have successfully tested human cells in vitro and live mice. After isolating glucan, which is a sugar molecule found in abalone mushrooms, if we inject it into the cell, we can avoid inflammation, as well as avoid the development of cancer. ' Mrs. Schwartz explained.

Professor Schwartz's team discovered that alpha-glucan binds itself to molecules in cancer cells before killing them.

However, if only abalone mushroom is eaten, it is not effective for treatment because only a very small amount of alpha-glucan exists in the fungus.

Scwhartz has published this discovery in a journal for intestinal specialists, the Journal of Gastroenterology.

'Alpha-glucan also affects inflammation, which is a sign of pre-cancer or post-cancer. So we think it will have a preventative and therapeutic effect , 'said Scwhartz.

According to Professor Schwartz's discovery, alpha-glucan binds cancer cells to blood vessels in the intestinal tract, preventing them from metastasizing to other parts of the body.

Professor Keith Jones, of the British Cancer Research Institute, evaluated Professor Schwartz's discovery very encouraging, but is not yet a breakthrough because the application of discovery on life requires a lot of research. save again.

Still, Professor Schwartz is still very confident in his discovery and is looking for sponsors for the deployment of human experiments.

It is known that bowel cancer claimed the lives of 600,000 people in the world in 2008.

This disease can be cured if detected early, however, less than 60% of those found to be infected in Europe survive more than 5 years.