Known since ancient times for its unique properties, this common plant could have therapeutic effects against colorectal cancer thanks to its valuable compounds. The herb in question is Artemisia herba-alba, also known as white wormwood or artemisia.
It is a shrub that grows naturally in North Africa and the Middle East, where it has traditionally been used as a remedy for conditions such as bronchitis, diarrhea, hypertension, and diabetes. A recent study published in Food Science and Nutrition classifies it as a potentially powerful weapon against cancer.
“Our results suggest that Artemisia herba-alba has significant potential as a new tool in the fight against colorectal cancer,” said Lara Bou Malhab, the study’s lead author and a research associate at the University of Sharjah’s Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences. “Based on our findings, Artemisia herba-alba could serve as a promising natural component for new cancer therapies,” she added.
The research team led by Dr. Bou Malhab collected plant material from southern Jordan in May 2021. After collection, the plant parts were air-dried at room temperature and protected from direct sunlight to prevent degradation of sensitive compounds. Once dried, the raw plant material was mechanically ground into a fine powder. This preliminary step was carried out to enhance the efficiency of the subsequent extraction process, ensuring the highest possible yield of phytochemicals, the researchers explained.
The team then tested a methanol-based extract of the plant on eight different types of colorectal cancer cells to examine its effects on cell survival, growth, and death, as well as its impact on a key cancer-related pathway.
According to the results, the extract contained numerous active compounds with properties capable of combating colorectal cancer to varying degrees of effectiveness. Specifically, the Artemisia herba-alba extract inhibited the growth of cancer cells and induced their death, regardless of specific genetic characteristics.
As the lead author explained, “the extract disrupted the cell cycle and reduced the activity of proteins such as cyclin B1 and CDK1, which are essential for cancer cell division. In addition, it blocked the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which plays a significant role in cancer development.”
In conclusion, “this study highlights the selective cytotoxicity of the extract against cancer cell lines, demonstrating its potential to serve as a complementary therapy alongside existing cancer treatments, offering more effective and less harmful alternatives,” the lead author emphasized. “Our findings underscore the enormous potential of Artemisia herba-alba as a natural source for the development of innovative therapies against colorectal cancer, addressing the urgent need for treatments with fewer side effects and greater effectiveness.”
These findings could also be adopted by major pharmaceutical companies, potentially offering improvements to current treatment options. Traditional chemotherapy, in addition to its harmful side effects, presents challenges in treatment as cancer cells often develop resistance to drugs.
