EGCG from Green Tea works as well as commonly used cancer drug (5-FU)

In this study on colon cancer cells 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent. It is frequently used for cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, stomach and pancreas. When compared to the effects of 5-FU on colon cancer cells (SW-626 cell line), EGCG has demonstrated an incredible chemotherapeutic response. Colon cancer cells were treated with low, medium, and high doses of 5-FU, EGCG, and Thymoquinone from Black Seed. Another set of cells was left untreated for comparisons sake. The cells were checked after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The survivability and ability of the cells to function, the intactness of the cells and the number of cells were all decreased to a similar degree by all 3 agents versus the untreated cells at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Even as early as 24 hours there was a significant decrease in cancer cell numbers by both EGCG and Thymoquinone when compared to 5-FU. The EGCG and Thymoquinone had a similar chemotherapeutic effect as the commonly used drug 5-FU on the colon cancer cells. The research was performed at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and is published in the current issue of the journal Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

Studies show it is not the caffeine which helps decrease the risk of developing diabetes but probably the polyphenols.