Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer out there. However, there’s some new, great news for sufferers of this daunting condition.
A new study’s findings show that scientists are now able to stop these dangerous cells from growing. And it’s all thanks to the extraction of nanoparticles from tea leaves.
These nanoparticles are small. So small, they’re about 400 times thinner than the average human hair. However, the act of producing them from tea leaves is not only safe, but it’s also non-toxic.
This certain type of nanoparticles is known as “quantum dots.” And a group of U.K. scientists, led by researcher Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu, have been using them to help fight cancer.
According to the researchers, the creation of quantum dots happens chemically. In fact, they have historically been useful in TV screens and computers. However, creating these quantum dots is a very complex and costly process. It can also have toxic effects.
This disheartening reality led the researchers to pursue a plant-based, non-toxic alternative.
The researchers chose to mix tea leaf extract with cadmium sulfate and sodium sulfide. Upon leaving them to incubate, the researchers found that quantum dots were forming.
Upon applying them to cancer cells, the researchers made a startling discovery. They found that the quantum dots’ anti-cancer properties were very similar to those doctors have been using for the chemotherapy treatment drug cisplatin.
According to Medical News Today:
In fact, the study revealed that quantum dots infiltrated the nanopores of the cancer cells, destroying up to 80 percent of them.
Pitchaimuthu comments on the findings, saying, “Our research confirmed previous evidence that tea leaf extract can be a non-toxic alternative to making quantum dots using chemicals.”
“The real surprise, however, was that the dots actively inhibited the growth of the lung cancer cells. We hadn’t been expecting this […] Quantum dots are therefore a very promising avenue to explore for developing new cancer treatments.”
– Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu
