Khat is usually associated with a negative review, but new research from the University of Bergen shows that extracts from the khat plant Leukemia kills cancer cells. This could mean that the drug improves the treatment of cancer than is the case today.
Our research indicates that khat-extract kills cancer cells in much greater extent than healthy cells. Moreover, only some of the leukemia cells that die, suggesting that there is a specific mechanism that record, "said Department Engineer Therese Wide Holt at the Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen said to a norwegian newspaper.
After analyzing the khat plant-toxic compounds, it appears that cell death is due to a substance, which is not described in khat before writing this on height that first mentioned findings.
Khat has same effect on other types of cancers
So far the researchers have mainly looked at correlation between khat-extract and leukemia, but tests on prostate cancer cells show similar effect.
This may suggest that khat also provide better treatment of other cancers, but this must be tested more comprehensive, said Broad Holt to a norwegian newspaper
Today, the most common chemotherapy treatment for patients with leukemia. This is a very tough cure, and especially older people tolerate the treatment poorly.
Given that most are over 65 years when they are diagnosed, this creates extra large problems.Less harmful than chemotherapy
- We believe that khat can cause a milder treatment of cancer than current chemotherapy. Khat is chewed for centuries, and it is estimated that more than ten million people chew the leaves daily.
It is also used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. Therefore, we have good faith that khat is a less harmful form of treatment than chemotherapy, said Broad Holt.
She emphasizes, however, that research so far has only been in the laboratory, and that it is too early to say whether khat can actually be used as treatment.
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