Cancer

·

Study

Fungus Makes a Chemo Drug Ingredient Normally Taken From Rare Plants

Fungus Makes a Chemo Drug Ingredient Normally Taken From Rare Plants

Alternaria

What they found

Alternaria longipes produced podophyllotoxin that killed breast cancer cells as well as the plant-derived version.

Alternaria longipes produced podophyllotoxin that killed breast cancer cells as well as the plant-derived version.

How solid is it?

Lab dish

Lab dish

In vitro (lab dish)

In vitro (lab dish)

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Alternaria longipes, Podophyllum hexandrum

Alternaria longipes, Podophyllum hexandrum

Compound

podophyllotoxin

podophyllotoxin

Published in

South African Journal of Botany

South African Journal of Botany

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

HEALTH & WELLNESS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Cancer-Fighting Fungi

Cancer-Fighting Fungi

A fungus called Alternaria longipes, found inside the mayapple plant (Podophyllum hexandrum), can naturally produce podophyllotoxin, a rare compound used in chemotherapy drugs. This fungal version worked just as well as the plant-based one in killing breast cancer cells and also showed benefits for blood sugar and antioxidant support. It's a major step toward making cancer treatments more sustainable without relying on endangered plants.

A fungus called Alternaria longipes, found inside the mayapple plant (Podophyllum hexandrum), can naturally produce podophyllotoxin, a rare compound used in chemotherapy drugs. This fungal version worked just as well as the plant-based one in killing breast cancer cells and also showed benefits for blood sugar and antioxidant support. It's a major step toward making cancer treatments more sustainable without relying on endangered plants.

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