Present in our desserts, our drinks and our cupboards, the stevia seemed confined to its role as a natural sweetener. However, a new method of fermentation applied to this current plant reveals an unexpected potential in the face of one of the most feared cancers. By targeting the tumor cells of the pancreas with unprecedented precision, the fermented stevia arouses great interest in oncological research, at the crossroads of botanical knowledge and microbiological innovations.
It is in this alarming context that a team of Japanese scientists looked at an ingredient present in many food products: Stevia. More specifically, the extract of its leaves, after fermentation by a bacteria isolated from banana leaves. This process would not only activate antioxidant compounds, but also to trigger a targeted cytotoxic effect against pancreatic cancer cells. An unexpected track from the vegetable pharmacopoeia.
Fermented stevia deploys a targeted cell death mechanism
The study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences reveals that the fermented stevia with the Lactobacillus Plantarum SN13T strain exerts selective action on PANC-1 cancer cells. Laboratory tests have shown strong inhibition of tumor proliferation, accompanied by a cessation of the cell cycle and the programmed induction of cell death. This cytotoxic power comes from a specific compound, the methyl ester of chlorogenic acid, absent in the non -fermented version.
The researchers observed a marked difference between raw extract and its fermented version. Thanks to microbial biotransformation, some metabolites gain in efficiency, improving bioavailability and pharmacological impact. This strategy has already proven itself in other plant extracts, but the results obtained with fermented stevia are particularly remarkable for their selectivity. The healthy kidney cells used as a witness remained almost intact.
A therapeutic potential still far from a clinical application
If these results open up new perspectives in oncology, the path to a therapeutic application remains complex. Experience has been conducted only on laboratory cell lines. No studying in vivo has not yet validated the observed effects or established tolerance on the body as a whole. The Japanese team, however, plans to continue testing on animal models in order to assess the effect of compound in more realistic physiological conditions.
In parallel, other initiatives such as the PRISM project, carried out by the National Center for Precision Medicine in France, also seek to improve the management of pancreatic cancer by early molecular detection methods. If the extract from Fermented Stevia were to confirm its effectiveness in clinical conditions, it could one day be added to this still limited arsenal. For the time being, it mainly testifies to the unsuspected wealth that the plant world conceals when it is associated with modern biotechnologies.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
