Herb may slow pancreatic cancer

DENVER, April 21 (UPI) -- An anti-inflammatory herbal extract may inhibit pancreatic cancer, U.S. researchers say.

Thymoquinone -- the major constituent of the oil extract from a Middle Eastern herbal seed called Nigella sativa used as a traditional medicinal in Middle Eastern and Asian countries -- reduces the release of inflammatory mediators in pancreatic cancer cells.

Dr. Hwyda Arafat of the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, who was the study leader, says thymoquinone almost completely abolished the expression of several inflammatory cytokines, including: TNF-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-8, Cox-2 and MCP-1.

This effect was superior to the effect of trichostatin A -- an inflammation inhibitor already shown to ameliorate inflammation-associated cancers.

The herb also inhibited the activation and synthesis of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor that has been implicated in inflammation-associated cancer. Activation of NF-kappaB has been observed in pancreatic cancer and may be a factor in pancreatic cancer's resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.

"These are very exciting and novel results," Arafat said in a statement. "These potent effects show promise for the herb as a potential preventive and therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer. More importantly, the herb and oil are safe when used moderately, and have been used for thousands of years without reported toxic effects."

The findings are being presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's 100th annual meeting in Denver.