Researchers studied two plant extracts—lemon verbena and olive—that contain natural compounds called phenols. When people ate these plants, their bodies broke them down into different substances. Scientists tested whether these breakdown products could fight pancreatic cancer cells in the laboratory. They found that three specific substances created by the body were particularly good at slowing cancer cell growth. While this is early-stage research done in test tubes rather than in people, it suggests these plant compounds might one day help develop new cancer treatments. More research is needed before doctors could recommend these for patients.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether natural substances found in lemon verbena and olive plants could slow the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in laboratory dishes
- Who participated: This was laboratory research using human pancreatic cancer cells grown in dishes—no human patients were involved in this particular study
- Key finding: Three plant-derived substances (oleuropein, vanillic acid sulfate, and homovanillic acid sulfate) successfully slowed or stopped pancreatic cancer cell growth in test tubes, with oleuropein being the most effective
- What it means for you: This is very early research that shows promise, but it’s important to know this was done in laboratory dishes, not in people. These findings may eventually lead to new cancer treatments, but much more research is needed before any recommendations can be made
The Research Details
Scientists started with a previous study where people ate lemon verbena and olive extracts, and researchers measured what substances appeared in their blood. In this new study, they took those specific blood substances and tested them on pancreatic cancer cells grown in laboratory dishes. They used two different types of human pancreatic cancer cells to see if the plant substances could stop the cancer cells from growing, trigger cancer cell death, or slow down the cancer cell cycle (the process where cells divide and multiply).
This type of research is called “in vitro” testing, which means it happens in test tubes or dishes outside the body. The researchers compared how well the breakdown products worked compared to the original plant compounds before the body processed them.
Understanding what happens to plant compounds after we eat them is crucial because the body changes these substances during digestion. The original plant compounds might not be what actually fights disease—it’s often the breakdown products that matter. By testing the actual substances that end up in our blood, researchers can identify which ones might truly be helpful for cancer treatment.
This is laboratory research, which is an important first step but has limitations. The study used established cancer cell lines (standardized cancer cells used in research), which is good for consistency. However, cancer cells in a dish behave differently than cancer in a living person. The study appears to be well-designed for its purpose, but results from lab dishes don’t automatically translate to human benefits. This research is best viewed as promising preliminary evidence that warrants further investigation.
What the Results Show
Among the three plant-derived substances tested, oleuropein (a compound from olives) was the most effective at fighting pancreatic cancer cells. It successfully reduced how quickly cancer cells divided and multiplied. The other two substances—vanillic acid sulfate and homovanillic acid sulfate—also slowed cancer cell growth, but they appeared to work through different mechanisms than oleuropein.
Interestingly, oleuropein also had the highest levels in the blood after people consumed the plant extracts, suggesting that the amount of substance available in the body matters for effectiveness. The researchers found that these breakdown products were actually more effective than the original plant compounds before the body processed them, highlighting why studying what happens to food compounds during digestion is important.
The study found that the plant substances affected cancer cells in different ways. While oleuropein appeared to work by stopping cells from dividing, the other two substances seemed to work through different pathways that didn’t involve triggering cell death (apoptosis). This suggests that different plant compounds might be useful for different aspects of fighting cancer, and combining them might be more effective than using just one.
Previous research had already shown that lemon verbena and olive extracts have anti-cancer properties. This study builds on that knowledge by identifying which specific substances created by the body are responsible for these benefits. It also confirms that studying the breakdown products of plant compounds is often more important than studying the original compounds, since our bodies transform what we eat before it can have effects.
This research was conducted entirely in laboratory dishes with cancer cells, not in living organisms or people. Cancer cells in a dish don’t behave exactly like cancer in a human body, which is much more complex. The study didn’t test whether eating these plants would actually help cancer patients—that would require human clinical trials. Additionally, the sample size of cancer cell lines tested was relatively small. Results from lab research often don’t translate directly to human benefits, so this should be viewed as preliminary evidence rather than proof that these substances work in people.
The Bottom Line
At this stage, there are no recommendations for cancer patients based on this research. This is early-stage laboratory work that shows promise but requires much more research. People with pancreatic cancer should continue following their doctor’s treatment recommendations and not rely on plant extracts as a substitute for proven medical treatments. However, this research suggests that future clinical trials testing these plant compounds in humans may be worthwhile.
Cancer researchers and pharmaceutical companies should care about this work as it identifies specific compounds worth investigating further. People interested in plant-based health should know this shows promise but isn’t yet applicable to real-world use. People with pancreatic cancer or family history of it should stay informed about emerging research but shouldn’t change their medical care based on this study alone.
This is very early research. Even if these compounds prove effective in human trials (which would take years to complete), it would likely take 5-10+ years before any new treatment based on this research could become available to patients. Don’t expect immediate practical applications from this work.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users interested in plant-based wellness could track their consumption of olive and lemon verbena products (olive oil, herbal teas, supplements) and note any general wellness markers like energy levels or digestion, while understanding this research doesn’t yet support specific health claims
- Users could experiment with adding more olive oil and lemon verbena tea to their diet as part of general healthy eating habits, while maintaining realistic expectations that this research doesn’t yet prove cancer prevention benefits
- Track consumption frequency of these plant products and general wellness metrics, but understand that this is exploratory tracking for personal interest rather than evidence-based health management. Users should not use app tracking as a substitute for medical care or cancer screening.
This research describes laboratory findings only and does not represent proven treatments for pancreatic cancer or any other disease in humans. These results were obtained in test tubes using cancer cells, not in living people. Do not use this information to replace medical advice from your doctor or to delay seeking professional cancer treatment. If you have pancreatic cancer or are concerned about cancer risk, consult with qualified healthcare providers about evidence-based treatment options. While plant compounds show scientific promise, only treatments approved by medical authorities should be used for cancer care. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.