A new study suggests that a plant used to make war paint by Native Americans could kill breast tumors. Bloodroot was used by the Comanches, Sioux, and Apaches to terrify their enemies when they went to war. Scientists say that the plant contains a toxic compound to triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most difficult to treat cancers.
Where is this plant found?
Endemic to the US, bloodroot is endangered in some regions. However, the plant produces stunning white and yellow flowers. Experiments reveal the chemical known as “sanguinarine,” which is found in the plant, can stop cancer in its tracks. Interestingly, it was found to be especially effective in black women, who are the most vulnerable.
Dr. Samia Messeha, the lead author of the study, remarks that their findings suggest that sanguinarine could be therapeutic to breast cancer patients, especially black women. The doctor doubles up as a pharmacist at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
This is not the first time the red sap that bleeds from bloodroot is being put to use. Sanguinaria canadensis has previously been used to decorate clothes and baskets as well as the body and face. As war paint, the chemical was believed to give the native Americans supernatural powers against enemies on the battlefield. Like its relative, the poppy, bloodroot is poisonous and is a source of opium.
The team says that sanguinarine could be a powerful tool in the long-running fight against breast cancer. In addition, cells acquired from women of African ancestry responded more positively than those of European origin.
The need for new breast cancer therapies
Dr. Messeha adds that triple-negative breast cancer is more ferocious in black women, who are also more likely to get the disease when compared to their white counterparts. As a result, there is a heightened need to find new therapies for this cancer.
Since it is not fed by hormones or protein, it does not respond to hormonal therapy. As a result, one in five breast cancer cases is triple-negative cancer.
Existing studies suggested that sanguinarine, which is also found in poppies, has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects.
