Discover the surprising power of Schisandrin B—a potent lignan derived from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (also known as the five-flavor or magnolia berry)

In this compelling episode, we'll explore how this plant-derived compound may hold promise as a groundbreaking, natural approach to battling colon cancer. Join us as we break down the findings from a recent 2024 study published in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, where researchers demonstrated that Schisandrin B reduces colon cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in both laboratory (in vitro) and animal model (in vivo) settings; revealed that the compound activates the unfolded protein response, specifically by binding to and upregulating the protein CHOP, which triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells; showed success in a mouse xenograft model, where Schisandrin B significantly suppressed colon tumor growth; inspired further investigation, as this study lays the groundwork for future clinical trials to determine its efficacy in cancer patients

The results are important, as this discovery, if proven to have real life, clinic impact, will cut down the costs of cancer treatment and come with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

source: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.4c00009