Tobacco Plant Holds the Key to Fight Cancer

This week, Australian researchers published the findings on a newly discovered plant compound that destroys cancer cells, leaving healthy ones unharmed. Interestingly, this compound is found in the family of a plant that can also lead to disease: tobacco.

During the research, this team of researchers at La Trobe University in Australia discovered a protein in the flower of Nicotina Alata, a relative of tobacco, usually grown as an ornamental plant (although sometimes also smoked in hookahs). After several tests, scientists determined that NaD1 protein, in addition to eliminating plant fungi, also kills cancer cells.

Destroys bad cells and keeps good ones

Apparently, NaD1 “imprisons” cells in its structure, which acts as a tweezers, grabbing the lipids present in the cell membrane to expel the contents. However, what makes this the ideal cure is that it attacks the affected cells, leaving the healthy ones completely intact.

According to researcher Dr. Mark Hullet of the University's Molecular Science program: "One of the problems with current therapies is that, unlike NaD1, they attack cells indiscriminately."

Like any new medical discovery, this one must also undergo many more rigorous tests and other research for some time to come. Thus, Hullet believes it will take 10 years before the project leaves the lab and is applied to patients.